Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Jackson?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Billings vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 40% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,085

+24% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$889

$816

+8% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$991

+10% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,121

+20% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$108,200

+65% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$43,238

+40% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$42,850

+13% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

34.7 yr

+3.4 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

48.6%

+16.2 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

28.6%

+8.4 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

20.2 min

+3.5 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

—

Property Crime

3,123.5

—

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

65.3°F

+17.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

54.3 in

+40.7 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

16.2

+10% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$27.68

+216% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

None

+7.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.00%

+1.7 pp in MT

Billings vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Jackson?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).