Billings MT vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 86.3% | 39.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 45.5% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.2°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 37.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 36.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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