Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Billings
2.0%
White
Athens
57.6%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 118,321 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 2.0% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 0.9% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.2% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $398,212 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³).
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