Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Lincoln?

They're close. Billings, MT runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Lincoln?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Billings vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 3% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$877

$851

+3% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$879

+1% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,070

+3% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,379

+1% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$248,200

+20% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$69,991

+3% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$49,800

+2% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

33.4 yr

+4.7 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

55.8%

+9.0 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

41.0%

+4.0 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

16.7 min

18.3 min

+1.6 min in Lincoln, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

363.1

+52% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

2,484.4

+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

51.5°F

+3.3°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

30.9 in

+17.2 in in Lincoln, NE

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

13.6

+7% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$15.53

+77% in Lincoln, NE

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 Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Lincoln, NE

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 / NE)

None

5.5%

+5.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.55%

+1.1 pp in MT

Billings vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Lincoln?: They're close. Billings, MT runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Lincoln?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).