Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Billings
2.0%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 118,321 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 2.0% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 0.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.2% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $71,855 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,639 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 37.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $398,212 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 33.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 20.0% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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