Billings MT vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 41.5 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 86.3% | 78.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 2.4% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $37,315 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,052 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 31.2% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 471 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 36.0% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 27.5 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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