City Comparison

Billings vs Lynchburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

Montana
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,438
Median Income

Lynchburg

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,900
Median Income

The Verdict

21.0%

Living in Lynchburg costs 21.0% less than Billings. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $61,990 in Lynchburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Billings
57
Lynchburg
Groceries
99
Billings
94
Lynchburg
Utilities
89
Billings
111
Lynchburg
Transportation
101
Billings
88
Lynchburg
Healthcare
102
Billings
105
Lynchburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $61,990 in Lynchburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lynchburg equals $90,741 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Lynchburg

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Lynchburg's 57, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $230,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,100/mo in Lynchburg, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 94 in Lynchburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $447/month in Lynchburg. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 111 in Lynchburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $444 in Lynchburg. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 105 in Lynchburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $57,900 in Lynchburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $71,481 respectively. Lynchburg residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Billings vs $1,351/month in Lynchburg. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Lynchburg, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lynchburg is 21.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,990 in Lynchburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Lynchburg's is 57 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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