Billings MT vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 42.9 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 86.3% | 51.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $510,297 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 53.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 75.5°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 66.5 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 28.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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