Billings vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $81,122 in Medford.
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 $81,122 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $69,340 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Medford
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $406,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $513/month in Medford. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 100 in Medford. 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 $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $69,057 respectively. Medford 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 $1,708/month in Medford. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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