Billings MT vs Costa Mesa CA — 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%
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Billings
86.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Billings
1.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 86.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $1,416,645 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Costa Mesa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Costa Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.8% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.1% | Costa Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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