Billings MT vs Boston MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 86.3% | 47.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.0% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.9% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $793,154 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 35.4% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Boston
18.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Billings +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.7% | Billings + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.5°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 43.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 33.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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