Billings MT vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Cheyenne
2.1%
Cheyenne +
White
Billings
86.3%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Billings
1.0%
Billings +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Billings +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 58,754 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 2.1% | Cheyenne + |
| White | 86.3% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 1.0% | 0.6% | Billings + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 0.5% | Billings + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 8.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Cheyenne
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Cheyenne
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $69,171 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $41,460 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 30.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Cheyenne
16.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 16.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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