Billings MT vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Huntington Beach +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 43.4 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 86.3% | 64.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.4% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Huntington Beach
55.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $1,364,265 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 55.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, 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%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, 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 +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 31.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, 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 Huntington Beach. 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, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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