Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Billings
2.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 118,321 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 2.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 0.9% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,117 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 37.0% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $398,212 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1984 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 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 $324,670. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. 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, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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