Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Springfield?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Billings vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 36% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$877

$760

+13% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$772

+13% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$926

+16% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,158

+17% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$165,200

+47% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$45,984

+36% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$45,780

+7% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

33.6 yr

+4.5 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

64.8%

42.9%

+21.9 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

30.3%

+6.7 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

18.0 min

+1.3 min in Springfield, MO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

1,189.8

+59% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

3,123.5

4,231.6

+35% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+8.1°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

45.6 in

+31.9 in in Springfield, MO

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

13.7

+7% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$8.77

$24.13

+175% in Springfield, MO

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 Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

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 / MO)

None

4.225%

+4.2 pp in MO

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.70%

+1.0 pp in MT

Billings vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Springfield?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).