Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Billings, MT's $1,040, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Billings or Topeka?

Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Billings vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Billings

Montana

$1,040/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,855 in Billings, MT and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 22% higher in Billings, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Billings, MT

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$877

$702

+20% in Billings, MT

1 Bedroom

$889

$758

+15% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,102

$977

+11% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,398

$1,177

+16% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$311,800

$130,600

+58% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$71,855

$55,902

+22% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,060

$49,540

+1% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.1 yr

38.2 yr

+0.1 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

64.8%

59.2%

+5.6 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.0%

29.1%

+7.9 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

16.7 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

750.2

856.5

+14% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,123.5

3,660.2

+17% in Topeka, KS

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

55.1°F

+6.9°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

13.7 in

36.5 in

+22.8 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Billings, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

15.7

+4% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$25.12

+148% in Topeka, KS

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 Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

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 / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

5.58%

+0.1 pp in MT

Billings vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Billings, MT's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Billings than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Billings versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Billings or Topeka?: Billings is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).