Living Cost Compare
Billings

Montana

$1,040/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/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 $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 9% 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
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$877
$992
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$889
$964
+8% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,102
$1,206
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,398
$1,421
+2% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$311,800
$225,500
+28% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income
$71,855
$65,526
+9% in Billings, MT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,060
$47,570
+3% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.1 yr
32.1 yr
+6.0 yr in Billings, MT
Homeownership
64.8%
54.6%
+10.2 pp in Billings, MT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.0%
40.1%
+3.1 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
16.7 min
19.4 min
+2.7 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
750.2
910.1
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
3,123.5
2,506.2
+20% 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
49.1°F
+0.9°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
13.7 in
38.3 in
+24.6 in in Grand Rapids, MI

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
23.0
+52% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$10.12
$19.72
+95% in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Billings, MT
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Grand Rapids, 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%
+6.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
4.25%
+1.4 pp in MT

Billings vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Grand Rapids?
Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Grand Rapids?
Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Grand Rapids 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).