Salary Needed to Live in Billings as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $72,374/year to live comfortably in Billings, MT, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $72,374/year to live comfortably in Billings, MT. The bare-minimum salary is $60,477/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,279.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,679/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,031/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$72,374
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$60,477
$5,040/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,679
17% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Billings
| Expense | Billings | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $967 | $1,641 | -41% |
| Groceries | $332 | $320 | +4% |
| Utilities | $194 | $225 | -14% |
| Transportation | $456 | $421 | +8% |
| Car Insurance | $132 | $215 | -39% |
| Health Insurance | $672 | $642 | +5% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone (x2) | $134 | $140 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $432 | $450 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $173 | $180 | -4% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $125 | $130 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $3,679 | $4,429 | -17% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,679
Target savings (12%):$600/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,279
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$72,374
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$967
1-2BR Apartment rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus MT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$600/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
96/100
Billings is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $967/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $926/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $60,477/year as the survival floor and $72,374/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Billings
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Billings?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $72,374/year ($6,031/month gross) to live comfortably in Billings with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Billings?
A 1-2br apartment in Billings costs approximately $967/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Billings affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Billings is 17% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).