City Comparison

Billings vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

16.7%

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

Housing
93
Billings
67
Springfield
Groceries
99
Billings
94
Springfield
Utilities
89
Billings
79
Springfield
Transportation
101
Billings
90
Springfield
Healthcare
102
Billings
116
Springfield

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

Springfield is 16.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,286 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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