Spokane vs Billings
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Spokane
Billings
💡 The Verdict
Spokane and Billings have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Washington salaries · Montana salaries
Living in Spokane vs Billings
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Spokane has a housing index of 94 while Billings sits at 93 (national average = 100). The median home in Spokane costs $310,000 compared to $310,000 in Billings, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Spokane versus $1,200 in Billings.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Spokane scores 99 while Billings scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Spokane (102) match Billings (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Spokane is $48,834 compared to $55,438 in Billings. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Spokane vs Billings
If you are considering a move between Spokane (index: 98) and Billings (index: 98), the 0% 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 Spokane can afford $1,139/month, while the median household in Billings can afford $1,294/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Spokane versus $310,000 in Billings, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.
Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in Spokane and $1,200/month in Billings, renters face similar costs in both cities. 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: Spokane (98) vs Billings (98)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Spokane at 98 is 2% below the US average, while Billings at 98 is 2% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
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 — 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 $1,200/month in Spokane and $1,200/month in Billings, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $0 difference in median home prices between Spokane and Billings translates to roughly $0 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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