Living Cost Compare
Billings

Montana

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 6% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Billings, MT
Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio
$877
$659
+25% in Billings, MT
1 Bedroom
$889
$716
+19% in Billings, MT
2 Bedroom
$1,102
$997
+10% in Billings, MT
3 Bedroom
$1,398
$1,335
+5% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$311,800
$177,100
+43% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income
$71,855
$67,859
+6% in Billings, MT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,060
$49,360
+1% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.1 yr
36.9 yr
+1.2 yr in Billings, MT
Homeownership
64.8%
68.2%
+3.4 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.0%
32.9%
+4.1 pp in Billings, MT
Avg Commute
16.7 min
18.2 min
+1.5 min in Cedar Rapids, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
750.2
264.5
+65% in Billings, MT
Property Crime
3,123.5
2,726
+13% 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
48.2°F
about equal
Annual Precipitation
13.7 in
34.6 in
+20.9 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

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
15.9
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$10.12
$22.16
+119% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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 Cedar Rapids, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Billings, MT
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA
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 / IA)
None
6%
+6.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
3.80%
+1.9 pp in MT

Billings vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Billings, MT's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Cedar Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Cedar Rapids?
Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).