Billings MT vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Clearwater
70.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 117,075 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 46.4 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 86.3% | 70.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Clearwater
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $64,440 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.4% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 32.5% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Clearwater
59.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 59.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 73.8°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 54.7 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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