Billings MT vs Elk Grove 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%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.0 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 86.3% | 34.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $44,932 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 38.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $637,623 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Elk Grove
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, 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%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, 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 +
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, 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
Billings +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 33.7 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while 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 Elk Grove. 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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