City Comparison

Billings vs White Plains

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Billings

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

White Plains

New York
160
Very Expensive
$730,000
Median Home
$2,500/mo
Median Rent
$103,100
Median Income

The Verdict

38.7%

Living in Billings costs 38.7% less than White Plains. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Billings, you would need $122,449 in White Plains.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Billings
266
White Plains
Groceries
99
Billings
108
White Plains
Utilities
89
Billings
120
White Plains
Transportation
101
Billings
118
White Plains
Healthcare
102
Billings
107
White Plains

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Billings has the same purchasing power as $122,449 in White Plains.

Conversely, $75,000 in White Plains equals $45,938 in Billings.

Living in Billings vs White Plains

Housing Costs

Billings's housing index of 93 is lower White Plains's 266, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $730,000. The $420,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $2,500/mo in White Plains, a monthly difference of $1,300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 108 in White Plains. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $513/month in White Plains. Billings offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Billings and 120 in White Plains. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $480 in White Plains. 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 107 in White Plains. 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 $103,100 in White Plains. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $64,438 respectively. White Plains 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 $2,406/month in White Plains. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In White Plains, median rent of $2,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 173 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Billings is 38.7% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 160.
A $75,000 salary in Billings has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $122,449 in White Plains, based on the cost of living difference.
Billings's housing index is 93 with median homes at $310,000, while White Plains's is 266 with median homes at $730,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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