Billings MT vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 115,415 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 86.3% | 76.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.7% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 33.5% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $441,257 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 49.3% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.0% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.2°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 44.6 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.7 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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