Billings MT vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 86.3% | 68.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $42,515 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 57.7% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Omaha
20.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 37.5% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.1°F | Billings + |
| 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 +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 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