Billings MT vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 86.3% | 61.6% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.4% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 48.0% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1992 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 30.6 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 24.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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