Billings vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Surprise
The Verdict
Billings is 4.9% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $78,827 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $78,827 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $71,359 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $419,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $408 in Surprise. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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