Billings MT vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 86.3% | 36.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $39,187 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $27,078 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,300 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 11.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 30.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 21.3% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 41.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 42.2% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.7% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.6% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 21.5% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Cleveland
36.4 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 52.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 36.4 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 24.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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