Billings MT vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 86.3% | 74.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 4.3% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $64,488 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $37,359 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,527 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 49.4% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2418 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.1% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 56.0°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 +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Columbia
18.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 18.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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