Billings MT vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Billings
86.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Billings
1.0%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 28,542 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 42.3 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 86.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.0% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 4.7% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 57.5% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 38.6% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.3% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.2% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | 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
Billings +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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