salaryBillings is the largest city in Montana that we track, with 119,434 residents. Rent is lower than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 16.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,320 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Montana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Montana. It is number 17 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Billings?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Billings
| Size | Billings | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $936 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $962 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,217 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,561 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,800 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Billings overall?
Everyday prices in the Billings metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Billings
Life in Billings
What jobs pay in Billings
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | 12.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $141,470 | 12.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,050 | 13.0% |
| Lawyer | $104,150 | 17.4% |
| Software Developer | $100,440 | 18.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,410 | 18.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,010 | 18.7% |
| Operations Manager | $96,980 | 18.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,730 | 19.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,300 | 22.0% |
| Plumber | $81,690 | 22.2% |
| Electrician | $80,980 | 22.3% |
| Accountant | $75,780 | 23.9% |
| Police Officer | $72,070 | 25.1% |
| Firefighter | $68,100 | 26.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $67,380 | 26.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,390 | 29.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,240 | 29.1% |
| Truck Driver | $60,850 | 29.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,500 | 29.9% |
| Carpenter | $58,950 | 30.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,500 | 38.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,580 | 40.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,350 | 40.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,150 | 46.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,260 | 47.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,760 | 50.6% |
| Cashier | $33,120 | 54.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,940 | 78.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Billings?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $875 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $343,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Billings, MT?
Renting in Billings costs a median of about $1,508 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Billings?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,320 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Billings cheap or expensive?
Billings is rated OK: rent takes 22.8% of the typical household income of $79,498. It ranks 17th cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Billings?
The median homeowner in Billings pays $2,887 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Billings more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Billings?
The median home value in Billings is $343,400, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
119,434 people live in Billings. Numbers are typical (middle) values.