Billings MT vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 84,389 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 86.3% | 67.2% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $35,662 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.9% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 27.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $657,911 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 62.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 53.2°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 39.1 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 23.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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