Billings MT vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 112,612 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 86.3% | 54.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $55,176 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $30,804 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $53,141 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.4% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 22.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 55.6% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 834 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3177 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.4% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 58.8°F | Billings + |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 20.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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