Billings vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Olympia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.5%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $85,714 in Olympia.
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 $85,714 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $65,625 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $495,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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