Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Billings
2.0%
White
Bend
65.5%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 118,321 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 2.0% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.0% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 0.9% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 7.2% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Billings
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $71,855 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $42,639 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $62,117 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 10.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 37.0% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 433 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 33.9% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.5% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.0% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Billings
14.8 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 47.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 14.8 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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