Billings MT vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 49.2 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 86.3% | 81.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $858,307 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2150 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 72.5°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 23.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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