Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Madison?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Madison?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Billings vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 7% higher in Madison, WI. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$877

$1,018

+16% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,219

+37% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,432

+30% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,766

+26% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$346,900

+11% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$76,983

+7% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$58,080

+18% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

31.8 yr

+6.3 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

46.6%

+18.2 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

59.2%

+22.2 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

16.7 min

19.4 min

+2.7 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

259.5

+65% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

1,884.5

+40% 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

46.5°F

+1.7°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

34.5 in

+20.8 in in Madison, WI

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

19.7

+35% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$11.79

+34% in Madison, WI

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 Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Madison, WI

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 / WI)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

7.65%

+2.0 pp in WI

Billings vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Madison?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Madison?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).