Albany GA vs Billings MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Billings
2.0%
Billings +
White
Albany
18.9%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Billings
0.9%
Billings +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 118,321 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 2.0% | Billings + |
| White | 18.9% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 0.9% | Billings + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 7.2% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $398,212 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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