Housing and tax tradeoff: Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana comes out ahead here on rent burden and rent. This only compares rent burden, rent, home price, and estimated state tax burden; it is not a total cost-of-living ranking.
Demand-Backed Comparison
Compare Billings vs Bend on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
People have logged this comparison 12 times on WhyThere. The cards open full city pages. The charts and matrix below are the fast side-by-side read on housing, climate, walkability, safety, schools, parks, and day-to-day tradeoffs.
BillingsBend
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Biggest tradeoff: Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on affordability, weaker on safety.
Potential dealbreaker: Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
Comparison Matrix
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 110,263 | 87,014 |
| Elevation | 3,123 ft(952 m) | 3,629 ft(1,106 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $386,338 | $719,428 |
| Median Rent | $1,416 | $2,258 |
| Median Income | $69,692 | $82,671 |
| Rent Burden | 24% | 33% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr | 306 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 61°F | 60°F |
| Comfort Score | 36/100Challenging | 50/100Mixed |
| Temp Swing | 54°F | 45°F |
| Annual Rainfall | 15"(38 cm) | 25"(64 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 12"(30 cm) | 23"(58 cm) |
| Air Quality | AQI 39 (Avg)0 days > 100 | AQI 39 (Avg)8 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Central walkability | 82 | 97 |
| Transit Score | N/A | 37 |
| Safety Score | 51 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| School Rating | 6/10 | 6.2/10 |
| Fire Risk (FEMA) | N/A | minimalMinimal |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 8%Cable: 88% | Fiber: 9%Cable: 86% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 37.7 years | 39.5 years |
| College Educated | 37% | 48% |
| Remote Workers | 7% | 19% |
| Nature Access | ||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | ||
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner. | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Billings | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Bend |
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