Billings vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Billings
Youngstown
The Verdict
Youngstown is 19.5% less expensive than Billings overall. A household earning $75,000 in Billings would need approximately $62,755 in Youngstown 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 $62,755 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $89,634 in Billings.
Living in Billings vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Billings's housing index of 93 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $102,000. The $208,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Billings compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Billings and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Billings vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Billings vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Billings and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,569 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Billings, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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