Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Billings
2.0%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 118,321 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.1 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 2.0% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.0% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 0.9% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 7.2% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Billings
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Billings
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $71,855 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $42,639 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $62,117 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 37.0% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 433 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1984 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 33.9% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.4% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.0% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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