CostIndexUSA

Billings, MT vs Birmingham, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MT
Billings
93.5
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Birmingham
91.6
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Birmingham is slightly cheaper than Billings — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Billings, you would need $78,400 in Birmingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing7.1%
Billings
77.4
Birmingham
71.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Billings
96
Birmingham
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Billings
103.7
Birmingham
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Billings
93.8
Birmingham
91.9
Utilities+15.7%
Billings
72.4
Birmingham
83.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Billings to see what you'd need to earn in Birmingham to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Birmingham, AL
$78,400
$1,600 less needed in Birmingham

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 93.5) = salary × 0.9797. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Billings, MT

Median Home Price
$392,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
77.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Birmingham, AL

Median Home Price
$252,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
71.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Billings has 7.1% lower housing costs compared to Birmingham.

Income & Job Market

Billings, MT

Median Household Income
$70,800
Per Capita Income
$40,400
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
117,116
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareRetailAgricultureManufacturing

Birmingham, AL

Median Household Income
$69,300
Per Capita Income
$39,500
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
212,237
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Billings, MT
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Birmingham, AL
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.