Billings MT vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 86.3% | 35.5% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $29,766 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.1% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.5% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 20.1% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $466,147 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 58.4% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 62.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 33.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Billings, MT vs New York, NYBillings, MT vs Los Angeles, CABillings, MT vs Chicago, ILBillings, MT vs Houston, TXBillings, MT vs Phoenix, AZBillings, MT vs Philadelphia, PA