Billings vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Nampa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.7%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $80,357 in Nampa.
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 $80,357 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $70,000 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $371,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $499/month in Nampa. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 102 in Nampa. 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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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