Billings MT vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 107,699 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 86.3% | 49.6% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.2% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $48,536 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $31,324 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $51,690 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 7.0% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.8% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 45.1% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 42.6% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.3% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.7% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 65.0°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 55.0 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 20.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. 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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