Billings MT vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 86.3% | 36.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $60,698 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $37,669 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 8.4% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 22.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 34.6% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 52.3% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 57.1°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 48.5 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 34.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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