Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Rutland?

Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Rutland?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Billings vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,040/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Billings, MT is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 23% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$877

$893

+2% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$889

$856

+4% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$1,097

+0% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,207

+14% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$176,400

+43% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$55,000

+23% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

48.5 yr

+10.4 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

64.8%

52.7%

+12.1 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

32.2%

+4.8 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

14.7 min

+2.0 min in Billings, MT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

487.8

+35% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

3,123.5

3,973.3

+27% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+3.6°F in Billings, MT

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

40.5 in

+26.8 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

24.4

+61% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$26.07

+158% in Rutland, VT

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

$1.92

+6% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / VT)

None

+6.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

8.75%

+3.1 pp in VT

Billings vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Rutland?: Billings, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,040 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Rutland?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).