Billings MT vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 86.3% | 16.5% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $48,416 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $25,509 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 10.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.7% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 17.4% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $482,675 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 24.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 23.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.2% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 54.9°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 46.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 35.9 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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