Billings vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Midland
The Verdict
Living in Midland costs 6.5% less than Billings. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $70,408 in Midland.
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 $70,408 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $79,891 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Midland
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $269,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $456/month in Midland. 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 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 110 in Midland. 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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases