Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Billings?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Billings?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Billings.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Billings?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Billings Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,030 in Billings, MT. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $71,855 in Billings, MT — about 31% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Billings, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$877

+29% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$889

+44% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,102

+41% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,398

+37% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$311,800

+39% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$71,855

+31% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,060

+17% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

38.1 yr

+2.8 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

64.8%

+5.0 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

37.0%

+16.7 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

16.7 min

+12.0 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

750.2

+7% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

3,123.5

+48% in Billings, MT

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

48.2°F

+8.9°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

13.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Billings, MT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.7

+33% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$8.77

+54% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Billings, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Billings, MT

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MT)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.65%

+0.8 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Billings — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Billings?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Billings?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $36,000 in Billings.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Billings?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).