Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Billings
2.0%
White
Austin
59.9%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 118,321 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.1 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 2.0% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.0% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 0.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $71,855 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,639 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 37.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Billings
20.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while 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 442 in Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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