Billings MT vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Billings +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Great Falls
84.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Great Falls
1.0%
Great Falls +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 60,412 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.3 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 1.7% | Billings + |
| White | 86.3% | 84.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.0% | Great Falls + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 4.9% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Great Falls
$62,117
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $63,934 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $35,968 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $62,117 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 28.3% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Great Falls
433
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Great Falls
1984
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 433 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1984 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.8% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.2% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.0% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.0% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls 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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