Billings MT vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Billings
1.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 86.3% | 45.7% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.1% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $55,279 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $38,947 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,527 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.1% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 45.4% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2418 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.8% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.8% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 24.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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