Billings MT vs Fullerton 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Fullerton
43.0%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 141,278 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.1 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 28.9% | Fullerton + |
| White | 86.3% | 43.0% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.1% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 24.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 39.6% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Fullerton
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $48,061 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 43.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Fullerton
51.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $1,047,700 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 51.5% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Fullerton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Fullerton
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, 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%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Fullerton
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Fullerton
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.2% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Fullerton
65.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 65.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 13.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, 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 +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 32.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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