Billings MT vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Billings
86.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Billings
1.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 86.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $530,668 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 460 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2417 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.1% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.8% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 52.4°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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