Is Billings cheaper than Denver?

Yes. Typical rent in Billings is $1,417 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 32% cheaper. Median household income is $69,692 in Billings compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Billings or Denver?

Billings is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 103 versus 137 in Denver — 25% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Billings or Denver?

School composites are close: A- in Billings and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Billings, MT vs Denver, CO

Billings, MT versus Denver, CO is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,417 a month in Billings and $2,089 in Denver, and median household income lands at $69,692 versus $85,853. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Billings takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Denver takes job market. The widest gap is rent, where Billings leads by 32% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Billings can feel further apart than Billings and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Billings and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Billings report Full Denver report

Billings, MT

Rent: $1,417/mo
Median income: $69,692
Crime index: 103
Schools: A-
Weather: 79°F

Denver, CO

Rent: $2,089/mo
Median income: $85,853
Crime index: 137
Schools: A-
Weather: 82°F

Rent

32% cheaper

Billings rent is 32% cheaper than Denver

Billings

Winner

$1,417/mo

Denver

$2,089/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,417 a month in Billings versus $2,089 in Denver, so Billings is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $672/month back in your pocket — $8,064/year. Over five years that's $40,320 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Denver, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Billings is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

23% higher

Denver's median income is 23% higher than Billings

Billings

$69,692

Denver

Winner

$85,853

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $69,692 in Billings, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Denver — about $16,161 more household income a year. Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Billings can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

25% lower crime

Billings's crime index is 25% lower than Denver

Billings

Winner

103 (100 = avg)

Denver

137 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Billings's crime index is 103 versus 137 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Billings. That gap is meaningful day-to-day — it affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Billings is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket — just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Billings and Denver are about even on school scores.

Billings

A- · 84/100

Denver

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Billings, A- in Denver). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

11% more comfortable

Billings weather is 11% more comfortable than Denver

Billings

Winner

79°F typical

Denver

82°F typical

What this means for your life

Billings scores 11% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 79°F in Billings and 82°F in Denver. Billings reads as warm weather most of the year; Denver reads as hot, long summers. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Denver's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Billings is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Billings

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Billings is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,417 a month. Choose Billings if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Billings if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (79°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 11%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Billings is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Billings is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Denver (103 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Billings report →

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 23% higher here ($85,853). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Denver report →

Bottom line

Billings vs Denver, called

If cost of living is your priority, Billings is the clear choice.

If the job market matters more to you, Denver pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Billings offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Billings vs Denver FAQ

Is Billings cheaper than Denver?: Yes. Typical rent in Billings is $1,417 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 32% cheaper. Median household income is $69,692 in Billings compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Billings or Denver?: Billings is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 103 versus 137 in Denver — 25% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Billings or Denver?: School composites are close: A- in Billings and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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