Billings MT vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 82,506 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 48.4 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 86.3% | 74.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $60,465 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $36,322 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.3% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 26.8% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 61.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Lakeland
14.1%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 38.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.3% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 72.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 54.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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