St. Louis, MO vs Billings, MT: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Billings, MT is 1.6% less expensive than St. Louis, MO (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in St. Louis works out to about $73,800 in Billings, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 4.0% lower and other services 0.1% higher in Billings, while housing is 2.1% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,390 a month in Billings and $1,427 in St. Louis, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $410,000 in Billings and $273,000 in St. Louis.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between St. Louis and Billings
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
All items St. Louis, MO: 95.1 Billings, MT: 93.5
Goods St. Louis, MO: 100.0 Billings, MT: 96.0
Housing (rents) St. Louis, MO: 79.0 Billings, MT: 77.4
Utilities St. Louis, MO: 69.9 Billings, MT: 72.4
Other services St. Louis, MO: 98.6 Billings, MT: 98.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 93.5 |
| Goods | 100.0 | 96.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 79.0 | 77.4 |
| Utilities | 69.9 | 72.4 |
| Other services | 98.6 | 98.7 |
| Category | St. Louis | Billings | Billings vs St. Louis |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 93.5 | −1.6% |
| Goods | 100.0 | 96.0 | −4.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 79.0 | 77.4 | −2.1% |
| Utilities | 69.9 | 72.4 | +3.6% |
| Other services | 98.6 | 98.7 | +0.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,427 | $1,390 | −2.6% |
| Typical home value | $273,000 | $410,000 | +50.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in St. Louis | $75,000 | $73,800 | −1.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between St. Louis and Billings has narrowed since 2008: 3.9 points then, 1.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.0 | 95.0 |
| 2009 | 93.3 | 95.8 |
| 2010 | 97.0 | 95.0 |
| 2011 | 96.3 | 96.8 |
| 2012 | 94.5 | 98.0 |
| 2013 | 95.6 | 96.3 |
| 2014 | 96.9 | 97.1 |
| 2015 | 94.6 | 96.8 |
| 2016 | 94.5 | 94.8 |
| 2017 | 95.7 | 97.2 |
| 2018 | 94.5 | 94.2 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 92.2 |
| 2021 | 96.3 | 92.3 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 91.7 |
| 2023 | 95.0 | 90.4 |
| 2024 | 95.1 | 93.5 |
Goods
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.8 | 95.5 |
| 2009 | 90.5 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 98.4 | 98.2 |
| 2011 | 95.1 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 94.9 | 99.2 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 99.0 | 96.5 |
| 2015 | 97.3 | 96.9 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 94.4 |
| 2017 | 96.2 | 99.3 |
| 2018 | 97.0 | 96.2 |
| 2019 | 99.4 | 98.9 |
| 2020 | 104.3 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 105.7 | 96.8 |
| 2022 | 101.7 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 98.7 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 100.0 | 96.0 |
Housing (rents)
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 83.6 | 82.6 |
| 2009 | 84.3 | 72.0 |
| 2010 | 86.0 | 77.1 |
| 2011 | 88.8 | 78.8 |
| 2012 | 84.8 | 85.5 |
| 2013 | 86.2 | 83.3 |
| 2014 | 84.9 | 88.9 |
| 2015 | 83.9 | 87.1 |
| 2016 | 83.6 | 83.0 |
| 2017 | 81.8 | 85.4 |
| 2018 | 81.6 | 86.3 |
| 2019 | 80.7 | 86.7 |
| 2020 | 78.4 | 74.9 |
| 2021 | 80.1 | 85.0 |
| 2022 | 79.8 | 81.8 |
| 2023 | 80.6 | 72.9 |
| 2024 | 79.0 | 77.4 |
Utilities
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 78.1 | 79.7 |
| 2009 | 83.9 | 77.9 |
| 2010 | 92.6 | 82.9 |
| 2011 | 96.2 | 87.2 |
| 2012 | 99.9 | 89.1 |
| 2013 | 90.9 | 86.8 |
| 2014 | 85.4 | 88.7 |
| 2015 | 86.8 | 89.9 |
| 2016 | 81.2 | 86.1 |
| 2017 | 87.5 | 81.9 |
| 2018 | 90.7 | 76.2 |
| 2019 | 92.2 | 78.8 |
| 2020 | 92.9 | 79.2 |
| 2021 | 92.5 | 74.0 |
| 2022 | 75.6 | 72.8 |
| 2023 | 81.6 | 72.3 |
| 2024 | 69.9 | 72.4 |
Other services
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.0 | 99.0 |
| 2009 | 98.7 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 102.4 |
| 2012 | 96.8 | 101.6 |
| 2013 | 97.4 | 100.5 |
| 2014 | 99.9 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 96.3 | 99.9 |
| 2016 | 97.3 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 99.9 | 100.0 |
| 2018 | 96.8 | 96.6 |
| 2019 | 96.8 | 97.3 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 95.3 | 92.5 |
| 2022 | 99.5 | 92.7 |
| 2023 | 97.6 | 93.6 |
| 2024 | 98.6 | 98.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,390 in Billings vs $1,427 in St. Louis
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $850 | $806 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $860 | $821 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $861 | $821 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $863 | $813 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $873 | $826 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $881 | $826 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $881 | $841 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $880 | $815 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $893 | $839 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $905 | $842 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $908 | $842 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $904 | $833 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $917 | $839 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $933 | $855 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $933 | $861 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $935 | $861 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $949 | $866 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $965 | $890 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $965 | $880 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $966 | $886 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $985 | $896 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,000 | $915 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,016 | $950 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,021 | $965 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,037 | $962 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,075 | $1,060 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,102 | $1,070 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,117 | $1,070 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,148 | $1,116 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,186 | $1,188 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,200 | $1,220 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,207 | $1,197 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,217 | $1,227 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,255 | $1,253 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,262 | $1,253 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,264 | $1,239 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,282 | $1,253 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,313 | $1,287 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,323 | $1,292 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,328 | $1,277 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,343 | $1,292 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,360 | $1,331 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,371 | $1,341 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,376 | $1,327 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,392 | $1,344 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,413 | $1,373 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,427 | $1,390 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $410,000 in Billings vs $273,000 in St. Louis
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- St. Louis, MO
- Billings, MT
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| St. Louis, MO | Billings, MT | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $149K | $233K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $151K | $236K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $153K | $239K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $155K | $242K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $157K | $242K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $159K | $240K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $160K | $237K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $162K | $236K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $164K | $239K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $166K | $243K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $168K | $244K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $170K | $245K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $172K | $247K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $174K | $249K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $175K | $252K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $176K | $253K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $179K | $257K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $181K | $261K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $181K | $265K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $183K | $267K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $187K | $271K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $189K | $273K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $193K | $278K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $201K | $285K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $208K | $296K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $217K | $310K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $219K | $323K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $220K | $337K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $230K | $352K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $239K | $368K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $240K | $372K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $239K | $373K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $239K | $372K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $246K | $381K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $250K | $389K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $251K | $389K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $254K | $391K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $257K | $393K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $259K | $395K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $261K | $399K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $263K | $400K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $263K | $399K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $265K | $399K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $267K | $404K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $270K | $407K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $271K | $408K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $273K | $410K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in St. Louis, MO
- Cost of living in Billings, MT
- Reverse: moving from Billings to St. Louis
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.