Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Billings, MT
VS
League City, TX
🏆 League City leads 13 of 22 categories
Billings
Montana
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,692
Violent Crime Index
196⚠ High
Population
117,093 ✓ Larger
League City
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$117,316 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
27 ✓ Safer
Population
113,469
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Billings, MT
Pros
Rent averages $534/mo less ($1,064 vs $1,598)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (3.6%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than League City
Homes cost $27k less ($285,300 vs $312,500)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.6)
Cons
Median income trails League City by $47,624/yr
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
League City, TX
Pros
86% less violent crime than Billings
Households earn $47,624 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (103.5 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 48.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,598/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Billings
Pricier housing — median home is $312,500
Longer commutes — 29.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Billings
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 89.6 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Billings
Median Home Value
$27k less
$285,300 vs $312,500
Billings
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
3.6% vs 4.2% unemployment
League City
Median Income
$47,624
$117,316 vs $69,692/yr
League City
Violent Crime
86% lower
103.5 vs 746.1 per 100k
League City
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 87.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | League City, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.6 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $285,300 ✓ Lower | $312,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,064 ✓ Lower | $1,598⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,692 | $117,316 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.7% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 177⚠ High | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 196⚠ High | 27 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 147⚠ High | 55 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.2% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.7% | 95.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elder Grove Elem | CLEAR CREEK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.0°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.3" ✓ Drier | 58.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 57.4" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 117,093 ✓ Larger | 113,469 |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 37.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 73.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 26.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.0% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Billings's cost of living index is 89.6 vs League City's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Billings is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, League City leads 13 of 22 categories. Billings wins 9 and League City wins 13. 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 League City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($285,300 vs $312,500 median home), income ($69,692 vs $117,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Billings, MT and League City, TX are about 1,341 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.