Billings MT vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 86.3% | 69.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $67,631 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $42,272 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $52,606 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.0% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.7% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 53.6% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 55.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 45.2 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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).
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