Billings MT vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 86.3% | 60.1% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $42,371 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.7% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $468,328 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 41.6% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 71.3°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 23.2 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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