Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Billings
2.0%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 118,321 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 2.0% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.9% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.2% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $62,117 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $398,212 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 433 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1984 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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