Billings vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.7%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $64,286 in Springfield.
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 $64,286 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $87,500 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $225,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $54,762 respectively. Billings residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Billings vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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