Living in Billings, MT
Billings is the 252nd-largest city in the US, home to about 121,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.5% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 121,239+3.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $343,4004.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,138/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $73,712median, per year
- Price level
- 93.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 36° / 87°lows 18° / 59°
- Average commute
- 17 min9% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.65%top rate, graduated
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County: Yellowstone County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 3,123 ft
Metro area: Billings, MT
Cost of living in Billings
The median home in Billings is worth $343,400 and the median household earns $73,712 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,138 a month, about 18% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Billings, MT metro area at 93.5, with housing at 77.4 and goods at 96.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $70,100 here. Montana taxes wages at a top rate of 5.65%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Montana is 0%.
What would my salary be worth in Billings?
Billings weather
Average highs run from 36°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 14 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 57 inches of snow. Expect about 32 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 142 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and August to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Billings
People and work
The median resident is 38.8 years old, and 37% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 65% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 16 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 38.8414th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 37%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 65%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,63246.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 3.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1980median year
Who moves to Billings, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Bozeman (Gallatin County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Missoula (Missoula County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Bozeman (Gallatin County), Missoula (Missoula County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Yellowstone County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, lightning, cold wave.
Home prices
+4.4% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Billings, MT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
86% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Billings, MT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Billings
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Montana State University Billings in Billings
- Rocky Mountain College 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Billings
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Billings Logan International Airport BIL | 3 mi | 475,334 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Billings
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University Billings | in town | 2,626 | $15,630 | 31% |
| Rocky Mountain College | 3 mi | 840 | $21,679 | 45% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Billings
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 4, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 28 and the first frost comes around October 7.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Billings Logan Intl. Airport, MT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Billings.
Wildfire smoke in Billings
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Billings on about 98 days a year, including about 35 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Billings
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 50,994 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Billings
Downtown Billings is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings High School District | 9 to 12 | 5,444 | 6 | 16.6 |
| Billings Elementary School District | Pre-K to 8 | 11,169 | 28 | 16.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Lockwood K-12 (1,580 students), Laurel Elementary School District (1,157 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Billings's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Billings's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Cheyenne, WY83% matchCompare
- Rapid City, SD76% matchCompare
- Spokane, WA72% matchCompare
- Missoula, MT69% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Billings
- Red Lodge Mountain Resort 58 miles
- Bridger Bowl Ski Area 115 miles
- Showdown Ski Area 128 miles
- Big Sky Resort 146 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Billings
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 6% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 16 minutes each way on average.
- Data Clean air: 315 of 365 days in 2025 had good air quality in the metro (EPA).
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 57 inches a year.
Billings report card from locals
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Cities near Billings
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 123 mi | 58,814 | $687,900 | 102.5 | Compare |
| Missoula, MT | 273 mi | 78,903 | $473,100 | 96.4 | Compare |
| Rapid City, SD | 285 mi | 80,589 | $299,400 | 89.2 | Compare |
| Ogden, UT | 357 mi | 89,510 | $355,600 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Layton, UT | 367 mi | 85,308 | $477,700 | 100.3 | Compare |
| Cheyenne, WY | 370 mi | 66,507 | $333,700 | 96.5 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Billings with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Billings a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Billings side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Billings?
The Census Bureau estimates Billings had 121,239 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 117,147 in April 2020 (+3.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Billings?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $70,100 in the Billings area. The median household here earns $73,712.
When is the best time to visit Billings?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and August to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 36°F for daytime highs.
What county is Billings in?
Billings is in Yellowstone County, Montana. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Billings in?
Billings is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Billings?
About 3,123 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Montana have a state income tax?
Yes. Montana has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.65% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Billings. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Billings, MT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Billings Logan Intl. Airport, MT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.