Billings MT vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.6 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 86.3% | 70.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $538,687 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 52.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3001 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 51.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 78.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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