Billings MT vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 86.3% | 61.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $871,599 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 44.3% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 52.6°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 37.5 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 28.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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