City Comparison

Billings vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

Montana
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,438
Median Income

Oxnard

California
154
Very Expensive
$653,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$96,200
Median Income

The Verdict

36.4%

Living in Billings costs 36.4% less than Oxnard. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $117,857 in Oxnard.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Billings
253
Oxnard
Groceries
99
Billings
112
Oxnard
Utilities
89
Billings
107
Oxnard
Transportation
101
Billings
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
102
Billings
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $117,857 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $47,727 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $653,000. The $343,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $532/month in Oxnard. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $428 in Oxnard. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $62,468 respectively. Oxnard 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 $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 160 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 36.4% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $117,857 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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