Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Billings
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Billings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to St. Louis.
| Metric | St. Louis | Billings | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $1,390 | +4% |
| Groceries | $385 | $364 | +6% |
| Utilities | $195 | $306 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $2,060 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 34% 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 St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $71,000 in Billings.
| Metric | St. Louis | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $68,328 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $71,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 71,924 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $73,712 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Billings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Billings.
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 | St. Louis | Billings |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 123,723 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
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.
St. Louis
#94Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
Billings
#13Montana, USA
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,390
Avg Salary
$68,328
Cost Index
95
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
77
Business
68
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