Billings MT vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Billings
86.3%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Billings
1.0%
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 107,846 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 86.3% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.3% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.0% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 3.0% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Dearborn
$65,192
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $65,192 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $29,900 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,052 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.3% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 34.3% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Dearborn
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.5% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.1% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.2% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Dearborn
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Dearborn
33.9 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 50.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 33.9 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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