City Comparison · 2026
Billings vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Billings = $148k in Chicago
Metric
Billings
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.93
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,100/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,380/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
MT
IL
$100k Take-Home
$72,406
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
27.59%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$59,206
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Billings MT | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,618 $3,885/mo · 22.3% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,406 $6,034/mo · 27.59% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,573 $8,631/mo · 30.95% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Billings has a cost-of-living index of 0.93 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Billings is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Billings is $1,100/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Billings?
$100k in Billings = $148k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 48.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Billings or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,406 in MT (Billings) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $59,206 in Billings vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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