Is it cheaper to live in Billings or El Paso?

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $33,000 in El Paso.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or El Paso?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); El Paso under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Billings vs El Paso Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

El Paso

Texas

$1,020/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 $1,020 in El Paso, TX. Overall, El Paso, TX is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $58,734 in El Paso, TX — about 18% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

El Paso, TX

Rent

Studio

$877

$707

+19% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$816

+8% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$993

+10% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,252

+10% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$171,700

+45% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$58,734

+18% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$39,510

+19% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

34.1 yr

+4.0 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

60.2%

+4.6 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

27.5%

+9.5 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

23.7 min

+7.0 min in El Paso, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

319.7

+57% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

1,509.3

+52% 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

64.6°F

+16.4°F in El Paso, TX

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

9.7 in

+3.9 in in Billings, MT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.62/gal

+16% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Sun Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

16.4

+12% in El Paso, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$30.48

+248% in El Paso, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in El Paso, TX

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Billings, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Billings, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / TX)

None

6.25%

+6.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

None

+5.7 pp in MT

Billings vs El Paso — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or El Paso?: El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in El Paso?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $33,000 in El Paso.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or El Paso?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); El Paso under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).