Billings MT vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 114,106 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 86.3% | 45.4% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $36,037 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 26.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.8% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.8% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 48.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 37.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 30.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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