Salary Needed to Live in Billings as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $55,657/year to live comfortably in Billings, MT, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $55,657/year to live comfortably in Billings, MT. The bare-minimum salary is $48,033/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,298.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,922/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,638/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$55,657
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$48,033
$4,003/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,922
18% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Billings
| Expense | Billings | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $797 | $1,351 | -41% |
| Groceries | $215 | $207 | +4% |
| Utilities | $145 | $169 | -14% |
| Transportation | $342 | $316 | +8% |
| Car Insurance | $132 | $215 | -39% |
| Health Insurance | $672 | $642 | +5% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone | $82 | $85 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $288 | $300 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Personal Care | $72 | $75 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $2,922 | $3,545 | -18% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,922
Target savings (10%):$376/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,298
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$55,657
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$797
Studio/1BR rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus MT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$376/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 studio/1br housing near $797/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $619/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $48,033/year as the survival floor and $55,657/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Billings
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Billings?
A single person needs approximately $55,657/year ($4,638/month gross) to live comfortably in Billings with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Billings?
A studio/1br in Billings costs approximately $797/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Billings affordable for a single person?
Yes, Billings is 18% more affordable than the national average for a single person.