Billings vs. Bozeman, MT: Which Montana Lifestyle Fits You?

Last reviewed and updated October 28, 2026

Is it cheaper to live in Billings or Bozeman? Billings costs less to own or rent. The Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey puts the median value of an owner-occupied home at $343,400 in Billings city and $687,900 in Bozeman city, and median gross rent at $1,138 against $1,717.

I'm Gene Hauck, a Real Estate Broker and REALTOR® with The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings, and I help people relocating to Billings. Billings and Bozeman are about 140 miles apart on Interstate 90, and the biggest differences are housing cost, size, economy and terrain. Here is how they compare, using Census Bureau and Billings MLS figures.

Video: Bozeman vs Billings, 7 differences before you move

I walk through seven differences between Bozeman and Billings in this video, for anyone deciding between the two cities before a move.

How do home prices and rents compare in Billings and Bozeman?

Bozeman's median owner-occupied home value is about twice Billings', and its median rent is about 50% higher, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey.

The Census figures are five-year survey estimates of what owners think their homes are worth, not sale prices. Use them to compare the two cities, not to price a home. For current Billings sale prices, Billings homes sold for a median $385,000 across 2,020 closed sales with a Billings address from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, at a median 25.5 days on market, according to the Billings MLS. For current Bozeman sale prices, ask a Bozeman agent for figures from the Gallatin Association of REALTORS' MLS.

Housing is only part of the monthly cost. When relocating buyers ask me about Billings costs, the first question is usually utilities at the specific house, which vary a lot by area, then insurance and property taxes. My Billings cost of living breakdown covers all three with sourced figures.

Which city is bigger, Billings or Bozeman?

Billings is about twice the size of Bozeman, and Bozeman is growing faster. The Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimates put Billings at 121,239 people and Bozeman at 58,814, up 3.5% and 9.7% from their April 2020 estimates bases.

Mean travel time to work is similar in both cities: 16.5 minutes in Billings and 15.5 minutes in Bozeman (Census Bureau, ACS 2020 to 2024).

How do the Billings and Bozeman economies differ?

Billings has the larger health care, transportation and retail economy, while Bozeman is home to Montana State University. In the Census Bureau's 2022 Economic Census, health care and social assistance businesses in Billings city reported about $2.67 billion in receipts against about $917 million in Bozeman, and transportation and warehousing reported about $785 million against about $106 million.

Billings is the seat of Yellowstone County and home to two hospital systems, Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Regional Hospital (Intermountain Health). Bozeman is the seat of Gallatin County and home to Montana State University. If your job decides the move, see the Billings job market and my guide for healthcare professionals moving to Billings.

How is the weather different in Billings and Bozeman?

Both cities have real winters, but they sit in different terrain. Bozeman is in the Gallatin Valley surrounded by mountain ranges, while Billings sits in the Yellowstone River valley on the plains east of the mountains, where chinook winds (warm, dry winds coming down the east side of the Rockies) can melt snow quickly in winter.

Snowfall and temperature normals differ by weather station, so compare the National Weather Service climate normals for the station nearest the home you are considering. For Billings by month, see weather patterns in Billings.

What are the outdoor differences between Billings and Bozeman?

Bozeman is closer to ski areas; Billings has the Rimrocks and the Yellowstone River inside the city. Bridger Bowl is just outside Bozeman and Big Sky Resort is about an hour away. From Billings, Red Lodge Mountain is near the town of Red Lodge, southwest of the city.

The Rimrocks, the sandstone cliffs along the north side of Billings, have hiking and biking trails in town, and the Yellowstone River runs through the city. Both cities are gateways to Yellowstone National Park: Bozeman is closer to the North and West Entrances, and Billings reaches the Northeast Entrance by way of Red Lodge and the Beartooth Highway, which closes seasonally in winter.

Where can you find crime data for Billings and Bozeman?

Safety is a common question, and it is one worth answering with primary sources rather than an agent's summary. Both cities publish their own numbers, and the federal data is public.

• The Billings Police Department publishes crime statistics for Billings.
• The Bozeman Police Department publishes crime statistics for Bozeman.
• The FBI Crime Data Explorer lets you pull reported offense data for both agencies and look at it year over year.

Citywide rates describe a whole city, not a street, a block or an address, and reporting practices differ between departments, so the figures are not always directly comparable. Pull the current data for the specific areas you are considering and draw your own conclusions.

How far is Billings from Bozeman?

Billings and Bozeman are about 140 miles apart on Interstate 90, roughly a two-hour drive in good conditions. Winter road conditions can add time, so check the Montana Department of Transportation's travel information before driving in snow.

Both cities have commercial airports: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Compare current routes on each airport's site, since airline schedules change by season.

If Billings is on your shortlist, my guide to moving to Billings covers timing, costs and how to choose an area, and the Billings real estate market report has current prices from Billings MLS data through September 2026. For more on daily life, see living in Billings and getting around Billings.

Choosing who represents you is the next decision. See which real estate agent to use when moving to Billings, with four recent out-of-state moves from Hawaii, Alabama and California.

Frequently asked questions

Is Billings cheaper than Bozeman?

Billings is cheaper for housing. The Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey puts the median owner-occupied home value at $343,400 in Billings and $687,900 in Bozeman, and median gross rent at $1,138 in Billings and $1,717 in Bozeman.

How far is Billings from Bozeman?

Billings and Bozeman are about 140 miles apart on Interstate 90. The drive takes roughly two hours when the roads are clear.

Which is bigger, Billings or Bozeman?

Billings is larger. The Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimates put Billings at 121,239 people and Bozeman at 58,814.

Should I move to Billings or Bozeman?

Billings or Bozeman comes down to budget, where your job is, and the home you need. Compare what each city's prices buy in square footage, lot size and age of home, and where you will drive every day, before you compare anything else.

Get the Billings Relocation Guide

If Billings is your choice, my relocation guide covers the move in more detail. Download the Billings Relocation Guide.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Billings city and Bozeman city, Montana (read October 28, 2026): population estimates July 1, 2025 (V2025); American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates; 2022 Economic Census receipts. Billings sale figures: Billings MLS, closed residential sales with a Billings address, October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Gene Hauck is a Real Estate Broker and REALTOR® with The Morales Group at Engel & Völkers Billings, 1921 1st Ave N, Billings, MT 59101. Montana license RRE-BRO-LIC-135399. 406-861-4844.