Billings MT vs Brockton 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 105,080 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 86.3% | 29.2% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.2% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Brockton
$35,524
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Brockton
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $35,524 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 8.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.9% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 21.3% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Brockton
57.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $506,468 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 57.0% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.4% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.4% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Brockton
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.2°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 49.9 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 34.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Brockton 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 Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
Billings, MT vs New York, NYBillings, MT vs Los Angeles, CABillings, MT vs Chicago, ILBillings, MT vs Houston, TXBillings, MT vs Phoenix, AZBillings, MT vs Philadelphia, PA