Cost of Living: Palm Bay, FL vs Billings, MT (2026)

Palm Bay

Florida
91
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Palm Bay is 6% more expensive than Billings.

$1,487/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 26%
$67,521/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↑ 6%
$248,000 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$311,800 ↑ 26%
$1,203/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 2%
125,273
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palm Bay, FL and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $390/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $4,680/year.

Median household income is $4,334/year higher in Billings. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palm Bay is $248,000 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Montana's 6.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Bay vs Billings — common questions

Is Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay and Billings?
Median rent in Palm Bay is $1,487/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $390/month.
Which city has higher income, Palm Bay or Billings?
Median household income is $67,521 in Palm Bay and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $4,334/year higher in Billings.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Montana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to Palm Bay or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,487/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 Palm Bay details → View Billings details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palm Bay and Billings

Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock Billings vs. Wilmington Billings vs. Richardson Billings vs. Spring Hill Billings vs. Cambridge Billings vs. West Palm Beach Billings vs. North Charleston