Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Billings, MT?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.7% of gross income.

Billings rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).

Billings median rent
$1,458/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Montana)
$77,009/yr
Rent as % of income
22.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,417, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,925/mo in rent. Billings's median rent of $1,458 leaves roughly $467/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 39.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Helena, MT
$1,457/mo (22.7% of income)
Missoula, MT
$1,456/mo (22.7% of income)
Missoula, MT
$1,452/mo (22.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Billings

View full rent data for Billings, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Billings, MT?

Median rent in Billings is $1,458 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Montana earns about $77,009 a year, which makes that rent 22.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Billings?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Montana (~$77,009/yr) supports up to $1,925 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,458/mo, which leaves a $467/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Billings?

At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a dental hygienist in Montana works roughly 39.4 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,458.

Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,457/mo), Missoula ($1,456/mo), Missoula ($1,452/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Montana state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Billings, MT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.