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 Fort Collins on cost, climate, safety, and daily life
People have logged this comparison 17 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.
BillingsFort Collins
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: Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on climate comfort.
Comparison Matrix
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | ||
| General Info | ||
| Population | 117,093 | 168,758 |
| Center Elevation | 3,123 ft(952 m) | 5,003 ft(1,525 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | ||
| Median Home | $386,338 | $547,901 |
| Median Rent | $1,416 | $1,871 |
| Median Income | $69,692 | $78,977 |
| Rent Burden | 24% | 28% |
| Climate & Risks | ||
| Days with 5+ Hours of Sun | 317 days/yr | 340 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 61°F | 62°F |
| Avg. Low | 38°F | 37°F |
| Comfort Score | 36/100Challenging | 39/100Challenging |
| Temp Swing | 54°F | 51°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15"(38 cm) | 14"(36 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 30"(76 cm) | 33"(84 cm) |
| Air Quality | Typical: 392024 modeled avg · 0 days > 100 | Typical: 432024 modeled avg · 13 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | ||
| Transit Score | N/A | 49 |
| Safety Score | 51 / 100 | 71 / 100 |
| School Rating | 8.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Flood Risk (FEMA) | minimalMinimal Risk | minimalMinimal Risk |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 8%Cable: 88% | Fiber: 62%Cable: 93% |
| Demographics | ||
| Median Age | 37.7 years | 30.1 years |
| College Educated | 37% | 58% |
| Remote Workers | 7% | 18% |
| Nature Access | ||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | ||
Housing and local helpA practical next step once someone starts picturing the move. | Featured Local Partner ADRealtor Realtor spot available For an agent, brokerage, or relocation team that can answer housing questions in Billings. One featured slot per city | Featured Local Partner ADRealtor Realtor spot available For an agent, brokerage, or relocation team that can answer housing questions in Fort Collins. One featured slot per city |
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