Billings MT vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.8 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 86.3% | 60.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $629,864 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1999 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 59.4°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 46.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 24.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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