Billings MT vs Fremont 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.8 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 86.3% | 19.4% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.9% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Fremont
60.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $1,538,830 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 60.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, 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%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 59.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 16.7 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, 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 +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 33.9 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 Fremont. 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, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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