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Billings, MT

Cost of living in Carbon County, MT

Part of the Billings Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,904/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 10,877 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,062 37%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $407 14%
Groceries $334 12%
Transport $250 9%
Energy $160 6%
State tax $151 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Carbon County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,013
per month
1 bedroom
$1,062
per month
2 bedroom
$1,373
per month
3 bedroom
$1,888
per month
4 bedroom
$2,124
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Carbon County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,017
per year
Individual earnings
$34,957
per year
Per capita
$42,734
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Carbon County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$379,300
Annual property tax
$2,080

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Carbon County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$103
per month · 12.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$57
per month
Annual total
$1,920
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Carbon County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Carbon County

State and local tax rates for Montana.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Carbon County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
28.9 min
Drive alone
66.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
10.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Carbon County

What it costs to live in Carbon County each month.

Single person
$2,904
per month
  • Rent $1,062
  • Energy $160
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $407
  • State tax $151
Couple
$4,563
per month
  • Rent $1,373
  • Energy $192
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $832
  • State tax $329
Family
$7,214
per month
  • Rent $1,888
  • Energy $240
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $832
  • State tax $329

Frequently asked questions about Carbon County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Carbon County?

In Carbon County, MT, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,062 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,373 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,888 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Carbon County?

In Carbon County, MT, the average household income is $71,017 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $34,957 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Carbon County?

The estimated cost of living in Carbon County, MT is approximately $2,904 per month for a single person, $4,563 for a couple, $7,214 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Carbon County?

The combined sales tax rate in Carbon County, MT is 0.00%, which includes the Montana state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Carbon County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Carbon County, MT would need approximately $2,904 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,017 per year ($5,918 per month). Carbon County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Carbon County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Carbon County, MT is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Carbon County?

The average home value in Carbon County, MT is $379,300, with average annual property taxes of $2,080, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Carbon County compare to other areas?

You can compare Carbon County, MT with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Carbon County is in the Billings, MT metro area.

Other counties in Montana

Browse the full list of counties in Montana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Montana

Compare Carbon County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources