Billings MT vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Burlington
85.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 44,649 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| White | 86.3% | 85.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 3.3% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Burlington
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $68,854 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $39,027 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.6% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $510,361 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 39.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.1% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 36.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Burlington
20.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 20.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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