Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- 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
Asheville
N/A
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Billings
2.0%
White
Asheville
N/A
Billings
86.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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
Asheville
N/A
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Billings
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Billings
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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 | $59,120 | $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
Asheville
$461,425
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Billings
64.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.0% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Billings
18.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA