Billings MT vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 86.3% | 36.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Irving
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Irving
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $39,462 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $344,888 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 38.3% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2339 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | 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 +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. 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, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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