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Billings, MT

Cost of living in Yellowstone County, MT

Part of the Billings Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,120/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 167,340 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,062 34%
Federal tax $519 17%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $334 11%
Transport $320 10%
State tax $185 6%
Energy $160 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,400
per year
Individual earnings
$41,812
per year
Per capita
$42,894
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Yellowstone County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$317,600
Annual property tax
$2,669

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.9%

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 Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
18.6 min
Drive alone
77.9%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
8.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Yellowstone County

What it costs to live in Yellowstone County each month.

Single person
$3,120
per month
  • Rent $1,062
  • Energy $160
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $519
  • State tax $185
Couple
$4,705
per month
  • Rent $1,373
  • Energy $192
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $888
  • State tax $345
Family
$7,356
per month
  • Rent $1,888
  • Energy $240
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $888
  • State tax $345

Frequently asked questions about Yellowstone County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Yellowstone County?

In Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County?

In Yellowstone County, MT, the average household income is $74,400 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,812 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Yellowstone County?

The estimated cost of living in Yellowstone County, MT is approximately $3,120 per month for a single person, $4,705 for a couple, $7,356 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Yellowstone County?

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

Is Yellowstone County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Yellowstone County, MT would need approximately $3,120 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,400 per year ($6,200 per month). Yellowstone County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Yellowstone County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Yellowstone County, MT is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Yellowstone County?

The average home value in Yellowstone County, MT is $317,600, with average annual property taxes of $2,669, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Yellowstone County compare to other areas?

You can compare Yellowstone County, MT with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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