Billings MT vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 41.6 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 86.3% | 75.0% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $39,604 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 31.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $422,520 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, 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%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 32.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 Surprise. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
Compare More Cities
Billings, MT vs New York, NYBillings, MT vs Los Angeles, CABillings, MT vs Chicago, ILBillings, MT vs Houston, TXBillings, MT vs Phoenix, AZBillings, MT vs Philadelphia, PA