The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer: Billings vs Hilo

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Best Value

Billings, MT

$43,008/yr

Take-home$2,616/mo
Disposable$333/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight

Hilo, HI

$58,604/yr

Take-home$3,565/mo
Disposable$197/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Billings, MT

Billings offers $136 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Billings

Hilo

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$43,008

$58,604

$15,596

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,616

$3,565

$949

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

85

130

-45 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,283

$3,368

$1,085

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,250

$1,937

$687

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$333

$197

+$136

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.15ร—

1.06ร—

+0.09ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+1

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.