Billings MT vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 86.3% | 76.0% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $575,076 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 58.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.4°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 17.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 28.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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