Billings, Montana
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Billings.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Billings?
For relocators asking how much Billings costs: the housing index sits at 92 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $311,800 and rents near $1,097. Local median income is about $71,855 and unemployment recently ran 2.9% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 17 minutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 92U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $311,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,097U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $71,855U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 2.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 17 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Billings compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 121,483City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $71,855Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 92ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $311,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($303,400)U.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,097City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 2.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 17 min32% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 2740% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 19°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 14.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals57% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 268As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Billings grew 16.2% from 104,509 in 2010 to 121,483 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Billings expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Billings runs 8 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 92 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $311,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,097 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Billings?
Budget first around $1,097/month rent or $311,800 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $311,800
- Median rent $1,097/month
- Median household income $71,855
What is the job market like in Billings?
Labor-market context for Billings: unemployment 2.9% and median income $71,855. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 2.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $71,855
How long is the typical commute in Billings?
Plan on roughly 17 minutes each way in Billings. Walk Score estimates around 27 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 17 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 27/100
Is Billings safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Billings?
Billings's climate profile: 83°F summer peaks, 19°F winter mornings, 14.3" annual rainfall, and 268 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 19°F
- 14.3 in rain · 268 sunny days
About 121,483 people live in Billings, MT. Households here report a median income near $71,855; our housing-derived cost index is about 92 (below the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $311,800 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Big-sky winters and long distances between services matter for relocators. Winter lows around 19°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Commutes average near 17 minutes one-way, with walkability near 27/100. A recent county unemployment reading near 2.9% suggests a relatively tight local labor market. FBI Crime Data Explorer did not return usable agency rates here — verify recent local PD reports block by block.
Billings is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Billings with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Billings city, 1600000US3006550) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Yellowstone County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00024033 BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10