Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Billings, MT (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Cleveland is 41% cheaper than Billings.

$894/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↑ 23%
$39,187/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↑ 83%
$94,100 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$311,800 ↑ 231%
$866/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↑ 36%
367,523
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
6.75%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $203/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,436/year.

Median household income is $32,668/year higher in Billings. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Billings — common questions

Is Cleveland or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 86 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Billings?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $203/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Billings?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $32,668/year higher in Billings.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Montana?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Billings has a cost index of 86 with rent of $1,097/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Billings details →

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