Billings MT vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Sandy
81.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Billings +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 94,723 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 86.3% | 81.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 0.8% | Billings + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $60,713 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $672,082 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 24.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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