Billings vs Santa Rosa

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 $116,327 in Santa Rosa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Rosa equals $48,355 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Santa Rosa

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Santa Rosa's 233, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $720,000. The $410,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $2,100/mo in Santa Rosa, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 107 in Santa Rosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $508/month in Santa Rosa. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 135 in Santa Rosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $540 in Santa Rosa. 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 112 in Santa Rosa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $94,300 in Santa Rosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $62,039 respectively. Santa Rosa 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 $2,200/month in Santa Rosa. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Rosa, median rent of $2,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 140 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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