City Comparison

Billings vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

Living in Billings costs 13.3% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $86,480 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
149
Peoria
Groceries
99
Billings
98
Peoria
Utilities
89
Billings
106
Peoria
Transportation
101
Billings
95
Peoria
Healthcare
102
Billings
86
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $86,480 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $65,044 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Peoria's 149, 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 $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $466/month in Peoria. 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 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $424 in Peoria. 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 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria 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 $2,270/month in Peoria. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,480 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Peoria's is 149 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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