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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Houston and Billings have a similar cost of living.

$1,313/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 16%
$62,894/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↑ 14%
$253,400 ↓ 19%
Home Value
$311,800 ↑ 23%
$1,316/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 11%
2,300,419
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $216/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $2,592/year.

Median household income is $8,961/year higher in Billings. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Billings — common questions

Is Houston or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Billings is cheaper to live in with an index of 86 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Billings?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $216/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Billings?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $8,961/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 Houston or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Billings details →

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