City Comparison
Billings vs Fallon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fallon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Billings
Fallon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Billings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Fallon.
| Metric | Billings | Fallon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,390 | $1,353 | +3% |
| Groceries | $364 | $400 | -9% |
| Utilities | $306 | $200 | +53% |
| Transport | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $2,653 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Billings delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Billings is estimated at
$71,000 vs $54,120 in Fallon.
| Metric | Billings | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,328 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $71,000 | $54,120 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,924 idx | 53,922 idx |
| Household Income | $73,712 | $79,163 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fallon runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fallon comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fallon sees 9.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Billings | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 57.20°F |
| Summer High | °F | 92.40°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 27.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 6.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | % | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Billings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Fallon.
Billings scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Billings leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Billings | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Billings is the larger city
— approximately 12.8x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Billings is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Billings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Billings | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,723 | 9,643 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Billings
Advantages
Billings offers a relatively low cost of living, with an index of 95 compared to the U.S. average of 100.
The city boasts a strong and resilient economy, driven by key sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture, with a job growth rate of 1.35% (2023-2024).
Residents benefit from advanced healthcare services, including the Billings Clinic, recognized as the best hospital in Southeast Montana.
Billings provides abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with access to the Yellowstone River, Rimrocks, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
The average commute time is short, around 16.5 minutes, contributing to a more relaxed daily rhythm.
Drawbacks
The city has a low Transit Score of 25 and a Walk Score of 35, indicating high car dependency and limited public transportation options.
Safety scores are relatively low (40/100), and residents report lower feelings of safety in downtown areas compared to other communities.
Some everyday expenses, such as groceries and transportation, are slightly higher than the national average.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh weather conditions.
While the city has a bike score of 63, it does not have many dedicated bike lanes.
Fallon
Advantages
Fallon's crime rates are significantly lower than the national average, with total crime 36% lower, violent crime 42.3% lower, and property crime 34.7% lower in 2024.
The average rent in Fallon is $1,353 per month as of October 2026, which is generally more affordable than many other areas in Nevada.
The city enjoys approximately 321 sunny days per year, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Fallon offers a small-town community feel with a slower pace of life, appealing to those seeking a close-knit environment.
Housing costs in Fallon are considerably lower than in larger Northern Nevada cities like Reno, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
Fallon's employment experienced a decline of -1.74% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a challenging job growth environment.
The city is highly car-dependent, with 75.8% of workers driving alone to work in 2024, and limited public transit options.
Despite some affordable housing, the overall cost of living in Fallon is slightly higher than the national average, with a cost index of 102 in 2026.
Healthcare access is primarily centered around one 25-bed hospital, which may limit specialized medical services locally.
Dining and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, which might not appeal to everyone.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Billings
#515Montana, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,390
Avg Salary
$68,328
Cost Index
95
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
77
Business
68
Fallon
#343Nevada, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
55
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