City Comparison

Billings vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

10.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.9%, with Billings being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to $84,184 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
144
St George
Groceries
99
Billings
100
St George
Utilities
89
Billings
87
St George
Transportation
101
Billings
104
St George
Healthcare
102
Billings
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $84,184 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $66,818 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs St George

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $550,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $475/month in St George. 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 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,438 in Billings and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $65,818 respectively. St George 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,184 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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