Billings MT vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 86.3% | 84.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $57,074 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $534,732 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Billings +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 23.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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