Cost of Living: College Station, TX vs Billings, MT (2026)

College Station

Texas
91
VS

Billings

Montana
86

College Station is 6% more expensive than Billings.

$1,168/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 6%
$51,776/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↑ 39%
$326,500 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$311,800 ↓ 5%
$1,251/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 6%
122,280
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

27.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing College Station, TX and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $71/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $852/year.

Median household income is $20,079/year higher in Billings. Home values also differ significantly — the median in College Station is $326,500 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over Montana's 6.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station vs Billings — common questions

Is College Station or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Billings is cheaper to live in with an index of 86 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between College Station and Billings?
Median rent in College Station is $1,168/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $71/month.
Which city has higher income, College Station or Billings?
Median household income is $51,776 in College Station and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $20,079/year higher in Billings.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Montana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to College Station or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. College Station has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,168/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 College Station details → View Billings details →

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