Naples vs Billings
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Naples
Billings
๐ก The Verdict
23% cheaper
Billings is 23% more affordable than Naples. A $75,000 salary in Naples is equivalent to $57,422 in Billings.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
๐ฐ Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries ยท Montana salaries
Living in Naples vs Billings
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Naples has a housing index of 180 while Billings sits at 93 (national average = 100). The median home in Naples costs $520,000 compared to $310,000 in Billings, a difference of $210,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,100 in Naples versus $1,200 in Billings.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Naples scores 106 while Billings scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Naples (98) are lower than Billings (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Naples is $72,178 compared to $55,438 in Billings. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Billings.
Relocating: Naples vs Billings
If you are considering a move between Naples (index: 128) and Billings (index: 98), the 23% 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 Naples can afford $1,684/month, while the median household in Billings can afford $1,294/month. With median homes at $520,000 in Naples versus $310,000 in Billings, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $2,100/month in Naples and $1,200/month in Billings, renters save significantly in Billings. 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: Naples (128) vs Billings (98)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Naples at 128 is 28% above the US average, while Billings at 98 is 2% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
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 โ 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 $2,100/month in Naples and $1,200/month in Billings, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $210,000 difference in median home prices between Naples and Billings translates to roughly $12,600 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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