City Comparison

Billings vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

12.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.6%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $66,582 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
86
Springdale
Groceries
99
Billings
97
Springdale
Utilities
89
Billings
93
Springdale
Transportation
101
Billings
91
Springdale
Healthcare
102
Billings
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $66,582 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $84,483 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $299,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 12.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,582 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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