Billings MT vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
New York
35.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 86.3% | 35.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.4% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $816,078 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 32.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 55.4°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 46.6 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | 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 +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 44.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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