Billings MT vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 86.3% | 58.4% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Huntsville
$70,778
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Huntsville
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Huntsville
13.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $70,778 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $51,690 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Huntsville
58.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 58.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 40.7% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.7% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 62.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 54.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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