Billings vs Macon
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Macon
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.9%, with Macon being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $58,163 in Macon.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $58,163 in Macon.
Conversely, $75,000 in Macon equals $96,711 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Macon
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Macon's 44, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $194,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,050/mo in Macon, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 101 in Macon. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $480/month in Macon. 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 102 in Macon. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $408 in Macon. 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 106 in Macon. 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 $47,000 in Macon. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $61,842 respectively. Macon 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 $1,097/month in Macon. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Macon, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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