City Comparison

Billings vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
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 Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
99
Billings
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
89
Billings
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
101
Billings
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
102
Billings
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $66,818 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $456,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 96 in Sugar Land. 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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 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 Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases