Billings MT vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 86.3% | 66.4% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $60,293 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $32,884 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,697 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 28.5% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
62.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 62.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 40.7% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.8% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 50.5°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 38.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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