Billings MT vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 11,626 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 86.3% | 59.6% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $33,805 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 27.6% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.2% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 38.0 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 34.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
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