Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Billings, MT (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Billings

Montana
86

El Paso is 22% cheaper than Billings.

$1,041/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↑ 5%
$58,734/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↑ 22%
$171,700 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$311,800 ↑ 82%
$1,044/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↑ 13%
678,147
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $56/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $672/year.

Median household income is $13,121/year higher in Billings. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Billings — common questions

Is El Paso or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 86 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Billings?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $56/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Billings?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $13,121/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 El Paso or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Billings details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Billings

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