Living in Billings, MT
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Billings, MT? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Billings, MT

Living in Billings, MT, means lots of natural beauty. The city’s downtown is nestled in a valley surrounded by sandstone cliffs, where residents are treated to stunning views of the snow-capped Beartooth Mountains and plenty of green spaces, like parks along the legendary Yellowstone River. 

With a population of 121,680, Billings is Montana’s largest city. Plus, this Montana city has everything you could want in terms of quality of life, including outdoor adventures, Western museums, a resilient economy and a relatively low cost of living. It’s also home to Montana State University’s Billings campus. 

Located in the south-central part of the state, the city is home to more than 50 parks and is also a day trip away from famous sites like Yellowstone National Park. 

The city is experiencing steady growth, thanks to its laid-back, small-town attitude, advanced health care services and a strong economy. Plus, you can actually enjoy your free time here since your money stretches further, and you won’t be stuck in traffic jams – the average commute time is just 19 minutes. One more thing: Billings has an impressive selection of beer on tap. Discover your favorite watering hole on the Billings Brew Trail that connects nine breweries, a cider mill and three distilleries.

Top Reasons to Move to Billings

• Billings is the largest retail, medical and energy hub in the region and has a thriving economy.
• With world-class fly fishing, miles of hiking and biking trails and the Rimrocks, Billings is a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Billings is family-friendly with top-rated schools and kid-friendly attractions.
• Billings is relatively affordable, with a cost of living near the national average, no state sales tax and a housing market that is more accessible than other Montana towns. 

Billings is a rugged, wide-open city perched in southern Montana, about 140 miles east of Bozeman, where Interstate 90 slices through the high plains like a lifeline to the Big Sky Country. Billings Logan International Airport is right in the city, a convenient hub offering flights to Denver, Salt Lake City and beyond. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Bozeman is 140 miles west, where you can scope out the Museum of the Rockies, ski at Bridger Bowl or wander the vibrant Main Street.
• Missoula lies 340 miles west, boasting the University of Montana, Mount Sentinel and some of the Clark Fork River’s scenic trails.
• Great Falls is roughly 220 miles northwest, with the C.M. Russell Museum, Giant Springs State Park and the River’s Edge Trail.

The area has brutally cold winters, but the city more than makes up for it with its stunning summer season, perfect for hiking, camping and all manner of outdoor activities.

Billings’ economy is deeply rooted in a variety of industries, and the city is a key economic center in Montana. The largest industries in the area are health care, retail and accommodation and food services, thanks to the large number of tourists who visit the city each year. Some significant employers in Billings include the Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare and Billings Public Schools. Also, First Interstate BancSystem, a bank holding company for regional bank First Interstate Bank, is headquartered within the city. 

The cost of living in Billings is below the national average. The median home value in Billings is $362,063, and the average household income is $75,202.

Montana has a state income tax. However, Montana does not impose a state or local sales tax, so the combined sales tax rate in Billings is 0%.

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Billings seamlessly blends culture with family-friendly attractions set against the open Montana sky. The downtown area is a hub for artistic exploration, featuring the Alberta Bair Theater for live performances, the Billings Public Library for community events and a thriving arts scene highlighted during ArtWalk every other month. Museums like the Western Heritage Center and the Yellowstone Art Museum provide insights into the region’s history and art, while the Moss Mansion offers a glimpse into historic architecture. Families can enjoy attractions such as ZooMontana, the Reef Indoor Water Park and the hands-on Wise Wonders Science & Discover Museum. Several community events, like the annual Strawberry Festival, add to Billings’ community-forward reputation. Residents are also very wellness-minded. Studios like Limber Tree Yoga offer unique experiences for those seeking rest and relaxation, including aerial yoga and rooftop sessions with mountain views.

Billings has many ways to explore the great outdoors, from leisurely park visits to adventurous explorations. Riverfront Park is the perfect place to relax by the Yellowstone River, and Pioneer Park is ideal for sports and picnics. Bike at Zimmerman Park or Swords Park, and the scenic Four Dances Recreation Area also offers views of the city and mountains. The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary provides an opportunity to see rescued native animals, while the botanical DanWalt Gardens offers a peaceful stroll. Just beyond the city limits, outdoor adventures abound. Pictograph Cave State Park offers archaeological exploration, and the Beartooth Highway is an excellent spot for a scenic drive. Lake Elmo State Park offers family-friendly recreation, and the Rimrocks offer rock climbing and rappelling. Historical sites like Pompeys Pillar National Monument transport visitors back in time to the Lewis and Clark expedition and Native American History.

Bite into the Billings restaurant scene. The city is known for its walkable Billings Brew Trail, which features a number of breweries, distilleries and a cider house and showcases the region’s craft beer scene. Many of the stops are along a 1.5-mile loop through the historic downtown area, so you can make it a DIY pub crawl adventure.

Establishments like Walkers Grill, under the guidance of James Beard-nominated Chef Nick Steen Gullings, offer innovative dishes made with seasonal ingredients, emphasizing the farm-to-table movement. Other upscale favorites include TEN at the Northern Hotel. The city also embraces international flavors and farm-to-table concepts, with restaurants highlighting local produce and meats. After dinner, indulge in handcrafted ice cream at Big Dipper Ice Cream, and cocktail lovers can grab a drink from Doc Harper’s Tavern.

Billings is generally considered family-friendly because of its ever-growing list of amenities, services and activities that cater to growing families. You can find a diverse range of public and private schools, alternative education options and higher-ed institutions. The Billings Public School District is one of the largest in the state. It offers a range of programs and schools, including traditional classrooms, alternative schools and focus programs such as magnet schools with specialized themes. The city also has many religious and independent private schools, often with a long history of high-quality education and smaller class sizes.