Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Billings
2.0%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 118,321 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.1 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 2.0% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.0% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 0.9% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 7.2% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Billings
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $71,855 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $42,639 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,117 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 10.6% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 37.0% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 433 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 33.9% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.0% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 14.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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