Billings MT vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Boulder
81.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Boulder
1.1%
Boulder +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 106,274 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 86.3% | 81.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.1% | Boulder + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.1% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 21.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $970,905 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 47.9% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.8% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 20.7 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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