Billings MT vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 61,773 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 86.3% | 43.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Macon
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $70,086 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $57,405 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.7% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 47.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | 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 +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 64.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 45.7 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 30.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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