Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Billings, MT's $1,040, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Bismarck?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Billings vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,040/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,040 in Billings, MT versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 7% higher in Bismarck, ND. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$877

$723

+18% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$803

+10% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$989

+10% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,421

+2% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$291,400

+7% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$77,608

+8% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$52,560

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

38.2 yr

+0.1 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

64.8%

65.8%

+1.0 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

38.7%

+1.7 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

16.7 min

15.5 min

+1.2 min in Billings, MT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

278

+63% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

2,417.1

+23% 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

48.2°F

43.0°F

+5.2°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

17.9 in

+4.2 in in Bismarck, ND

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.1

+7% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$18.21

+80% in Bismarck, ND

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Billings, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / ND)

None

+5.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

2.50%

+3.2 pp in MT

Billings vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Billings, MT's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Bismarck?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).