Billings MT vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Carmel
77.5%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 100,501 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 40.5 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 86.3% | 77.5% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.0% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,697 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $570,592 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 42.2 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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