Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Billings
2.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 118,321 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 2.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.0% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 0.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Billings
$71,855
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Billings
$42,639
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $71,855 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,639 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 37.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.0% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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