Performance
Score Breakdown
Billings
Omaha
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Billings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Omaha.
| Metric | Billings | Omaha | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,390 | $1,450 | -4% |
| Groceries | $364 | $400 | -9% |
| Utilities | $306 | $180 | +70% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $2,400 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 4% 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 $55,000 in Omaha.
| Metric | Billings | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,328 | $65,465 |
| Salary Needed | $71,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,924 idx | 71,158 idx |
| Household Income | $73,712 | $73,201 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Billings | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Billings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Omaha.
Omaha scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Omaha leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Billings | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 47.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Omaha is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Billings.
From a growth perspective, Billings is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Omaha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Billings | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,723 | 494,169 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 2.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Omaha
Advantages
The cost of living in Omaha is 8.1% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Omaha boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.9% as of May 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The average commute time is relatively short at 19.6 minutes in 2024.
Median household income was $73,201 in 2024, reflecting healthy earning potential.
The city has a diverse and growing economy driven by key sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Drawbacks
Omaha has a 'Car-Dependent' Walk Score of 47 and 'Minimal Transit' Transit Score of 30, indicating limited public transportation and walkability options.
Assisted living costs in Omaha, at $6,150 per month in 2024, are higher than the state average.
The city experienced a slight population decline of 0.6% from April 2020 to mid-2025 according to one estimate, though other projections show growth.
While generally safe, like any major city, crime rates can be a concern in specific areas.
Specific job growth rates and new business formation rates for 2024+ were not consistently available, making it difficult to quantify recent economic momentum.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Omaha
#22Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,465
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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