Billings MT vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 86.3% | 51.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $45,845 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $27,570 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.4% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 29.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 30.5% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 41.3% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 41.5% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.7% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.8% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 49.0°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 41.5 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 19.3 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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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