Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Billings
2.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 118,321 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 2.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 0.9% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 7.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $71,855 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $398,212 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.9% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.0% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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