Billings MT vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 86.3% | 39.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.5% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $58,734 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $28,942 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.4% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 27.5% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 60.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2339 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.4% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 27.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 64.3°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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