Billings MT vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 86.3% | 59.2% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $45,611 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $30,282 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 28.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 38.5% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 68.9°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 47.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 20.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville 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 Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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