Billings MT vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 86.3% | 38.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.0% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.7% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $1,566,872 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 43.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 65.3°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, 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 +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Billings, MT vs New York, NYBillings, MT vs Los Angeles, CABillings, MT vs Chicago, ILBillings, MT vs Houston, TXBillings, MT vs Phoenix, AZBillings, MT vs Philadelphia, PA