City Comparison
Butte vs Billings
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Billings
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Billings.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
32% lower than Billings's.
| Metric | Butte | Billings | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,390 | -32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $364 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $306 | -43% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,060 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 21% lower 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 Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $71,000 in Billings.
| Metric | Butte | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $68,328 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $71,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 71,924 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $73,712 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butte runs warmer on average — a 42.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 56.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Butte scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Butte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Butte | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Billings is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Butte.
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 | Butte | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 123,723 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
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
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