Billings costs about the same as the national average to live in, and less than most large metros in the Mountain time zone. Montana has no sales tax, and its income tax rates are dropping. Your everyday purchases, from groceries to a new car, carry no sales tax.
The index sets the U.S. average at 100. A lower number means a lower cost of living.
| Metro | Composite | Housing | Utilities | Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 99.8 | 95.3 | 82.8 | 119.7 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 95.0 | 89.1 | 87.5 | 85.7 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 98.9 | 97.9 | 89.1 | 93.8 |
| Boise, ID | 102.0 | 100.9 | 77.9 | 109.6 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 106.3 | 115.6 | 106.8 | 105.2 |
| Denver, CO | 108.6 | 123.4 | 89.5 | 94.5 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 109.0 | 128.7 | 95.5 | 111.1 |
Source: Council for Community and Economic Research, Cost of Living Index, Annual 2024
| Tax | Montana |
|---|---|
| State Sales Tax | None |
| State Income Tax | 4.7% to 5.65% (2026), with the top rate falling to 5.4% in 2027 |
| Local Income Tax | None |
| Average Effective Property Tax | 0.61% statewide |
| Estate or Inheritance Tax | None |
| Vehicle Sales Tax | None |
Starting in 2026, Montana applies lower property tax rates to primary residences than to second homes and short-term rentals.
Billings offers a range of housing within a compact city, from older homes near downtown to newer construction on the West End. Home prices sit well below those in Bozeman, Boise, Denver, and Salt Lake City. Homes move quickly, typically going under contract in about two weeks.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Typical Home Value | $402,554 |
| Median Sale Price | $375,650 |
| Median List Price | $415,983 |
| One-Year Value Change | +2.1% |
| Median Days to Pending | 15 |
Source: Zillow, data through June 30, 2026
| Tier | Median Sale Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | $310,308 |
| Mid | $393,101 |
| High | $594,943 |
| Luxury | $1,222,500 |
Source: Redfin, January 2026
| Neighborhood | Typical Home Value |
|---|---|
| West End | $442,707 |
| Heights | $413,555 |
| West Alkali Creek | $606,153 |
Source: Zillow, 2026
Billings is a regional city, and like many cities its size, it has worked to bring crime down in recent years. The Billings Police Department's 2025 annual report shows crime declining across most categories.
| Measure | 2025 Result |
|---|---|
| Property Crime | Significant decrease from 2024 |
| Quality-of-Life Offenses | Significant decrease from 2024 |
| Violent Crime | Stable |
| Homicides | 5, down from 15 in 2024 |
| Traffic Collisions | More than 2,600 responses |
Source: Billings Police Department, 2025 Annual Report
About one in four collisions in 2025 involved an injury or a reported injury. Billings is a car-dependent city, and winter driving calls for caution on snow and ice.
