Billings MT vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 75,721 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 86.3% | 48.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 6.8% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.1% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $765,686 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 45.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 53.2°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 40.1 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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