Billings MT vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 68,505 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 86.3% | 80.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 3.1% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $61,587 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.4% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.3% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $561,069 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 46.7% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 47.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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