Billings MT vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 26,509 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.7 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 86.3% | 82.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 3.9% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1992 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.4% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 34.0 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 28.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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