Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Boise?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Boise?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Billings vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Billings, MT versus $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 12% higher in Boise, ID. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,021

+16% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,133

+27% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,342

+22% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,749

+25% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$456,000

+46% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$81,308

+13% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$49,100

+0% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

38.2 yr

+0.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

64.8%

63.0%

+1.8 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

46.6%

+9.6 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

16.7 min

19.1 min

+2.4 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

301

+60% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

1,135.1

+64% 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

52.5°F

+4.3°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

11.7 in

+1.9 in in Billings, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

12.3

+16% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$10.82

+23% in Boise, ID

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / ID)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

5.30%

+0.4 pp in MT

Billings vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Boise?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Boise?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).