Billings vs Mesa
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Billings
Mesa
💡 The Verdict
Billings and Mesa have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Montana salaries · Arizona salaries
Living in Billings vs Mesa
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Billings has a housing index of 93 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Billings costs $310,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Billings versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Billings scores 99 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Billings (102) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Billings is $55,438 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Billings vs Mesa
If you are considering a move between Billings (index: 98) and Mesa (index: 99), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Billings is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Billings can afford $1,294/month, while the median household in Mesa can afford $1,405/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Billings versus $350,000 in Mesa, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in Billings and $1,350/month in Mesa, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Billings where costs are 2% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Billings (98) vs Mesa (99)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Billings at 98 is 2% below the US average, while Mesa at 99 is 1% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,200/month in Billings and $1,350/month in Mesa, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $9,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $40,000 difference in median home prices between Billings and Mesa translates to roughly $2,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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