Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Detroit?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Detroit?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Billings vs Detroit Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 45% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio

$877

$801

+9% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$752

+15% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,001

+9% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,195

+15% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$76,800

+75% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$39,575

+45% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$52,080

+6% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

35.1 yr

+3.0 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

49.7%

+15.1 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

17.6%

+19.4 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

25.4 min

+8.7 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

1,783.4

+138% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

3,123.5

4,391.6

+41% in Detroit, MI

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

50.3°F

+2.1°F in Detroit, MI

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

31.3 in

+17.7 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Billings, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

22.0

+50% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$14.07

+60% in Detroit, MI

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 Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Detroit, MI

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 / MI)

None

+6.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.25%

+1.4 pp in MT

Billings vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Detroit?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Detroit?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Detroit?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).