Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
2.0%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
86.3%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 118,321 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 86.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 0.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,855 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,639 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
64.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1984 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 33.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 20.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.1% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Billings
18.0 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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