Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Billings, MT
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Billings leads 13 of 23 categories
Billings
Montana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,692
Violent Crime Index
196⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,093 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Billings, MT
Pros
Homes cost $1370k less ($285,300 vs $1,654,800)
Rent averages $1163/mo less ($1,064 vs $2,227)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
4% less violent crime than Santa Monica
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.6%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $37,105/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
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,105 more per year on average
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 87°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Billings
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Billings
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 89.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Billings
Violent Crime
4% lower
746.1 vs 778.0 per 100k
Billings
Median Home Value
$1370k less
$285,300 vs $1,654,800
Billings
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.6% vs 6.2% unemployment
Billings
Summer Heat
17.9°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$37,105
$106,797 vs $69,692/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.6 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $285,300 ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,064 ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,692 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.7% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 177⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 196⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.2% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.7% ✓ Higher | 94.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elder Grove Elem | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.0°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.3" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 57.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 117,093 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 18.0% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Billings's cost of living index is 89.6 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Billings is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Billings leads 13 of 23 categories. Billings wins 13 and Santa Monica wins 10. 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 Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($285,300 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($69,692 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Billings, MT and Santa Monica, CA are about 968 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.