Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Billings, MT
VS
Greeley, CO
🏆 Billings leads 14 of 23 categories
Billings
Montana
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,692 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
196⚠ High
Population
117,093 ✓ Larger
Greeley
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.0
Median Household Income
$65,525
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,949
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Billings, MT
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (3.6%)
Homes cost $61k less ($285,300 vs $346,400)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $144/mo less ($1,064 vs $1,208)
More college-educated — 37.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.6)
Cons
Violent crime (746.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3083.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 57" of snow per year
Greeley, CO
Pros
10% less violent crime than Billings
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (670.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $346,400
Property crime (3019.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Billings
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 89.6 vs 96.0 (100 = US avg)
Billings
Median Income
$4,167
$69,692 vs $65,525/yr
Billings
Median Home Value
$61k less
$285,300 vs $346,400
Billings
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
3.6% vs 5.6% unemployment
Greeley
Violent Crime
10% lower
670.7 vs 746.1 per 100k
Greeley
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 87.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | Greeley, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.6 ✓ Cheaper | 96.0 |
| Median Home Value | $285,300 ✓ Lower | $346,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,064 ✓ Lower | $1,208 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,692 ✓ Higher | $65,525 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.2 min ✓ Shorter | 24.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.7% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 177⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 196⚠ High | 177⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 147⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.2% ✓ Higher | 26.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.7% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elder Grove Elem | GreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.0°F | 44.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.3" ✓ Drier | 14.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 57.4" | 34.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 117,093 ✓ Larger | 107,949 |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% ✓ Higher | 60.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.0% ✓ More | 13.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Billings's cost of living index is 89.6 vs Greeley's 96.0 (US average = 100).
Billings is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Billings leads 14 of 23 categories. Billings wins 14 and Greeley wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Billings to Greeley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($285,300 vs $346,400 median home), income ($69,692 vs $65,525), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Billings, MT and Greeley, CO are about 417 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.