Billings MT vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 86.3% | 81.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $568,389 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 52.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Billings +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.7% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.3% | Billings + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 50.3°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 16.1 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, 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 512 in Fort Collins. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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