Billings MT vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 86.3% | 63.5% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.0% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.5% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 35.7% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $570,934 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 49.4% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 460 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2417 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Reno
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 53.0°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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