Retail Trade in Billings, MT
Metro Market Score 64.3 (Difficult), ranked #303 of 378 metros. 790 establishments, 11,477 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Wage costs in Billings's retail trade sector are well above the metro average, with wage competitiveness at 83.1 and rising pressure at 61.7. New entrants should factor higher labor costs into their financial projections for this market.
790 Retail Trade Firms in Billings
Billings vs Montana Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Montana overall. The state ranks #34/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Billings | MT Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 64.3 Difficult | 45.8 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #303 of 378 metros | #34 of 51 states |
Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.
Other Industries in Billings
Retail Trade in Other Montana Metros
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of Billings's 64.3 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering Montana
State-level entry risk for retail trade in adjacent states. Use this to weigh cross-border options.
Browse Retail Trade in Other States
State-level entry risk reports for retail trade across all 51 markets, sorted by rank.
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Billings, MT MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.