Billings MT vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 86.3% | 51.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $71,302 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.9% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 50.2% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.9% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 73.4°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 46.3 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 26.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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