Billings MT vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 86.3% | 70.5% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $60,713 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.8% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.4% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $580,126 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 46.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.2% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 52.8°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 16.1 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 21.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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