Billings MT vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 86.3% | 28.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $664,939 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 28.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 40.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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