Billings MT vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 5.0% | Dayton + |
| White | 86.3% | 51.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.2% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.5% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $43,454 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $26,381 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,300 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 9.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 27.1% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 20.7% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 48.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 42.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.6% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.5% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 54.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 40.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, 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 +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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