SLC vs Boise vs Billings vs Spokane (crime, living)

[CharlesXII]

What are the main differences between these cities?

Some similarities:

- All medium size (from 200-500k population)
- All semi-arid and low humidity climates (only Spokane just a tiny bit much rainfall to fall into this category)
- All located on a high elevation
- All known for being majority Republican and religious

I am wondering:

1. Which city has the best restaurant and night life scene?
2. Which city has the most cultural offerings?
3. Which city is best for raising children in?
4. Which city has the most awe-inspiring nature in its vicinity?
5. Any other pros/cons that you see?
6. Where would you personally live if you had to pick one?

[Vegabern]

Did Billings grow that much since I left Montana? I'm sure the residents would love to hear they're being compared to SLC but back in reality they're not even remotely similar.

[TacoSoup]

Salt Lake City is huge compared to other cities. It’s metro has 1.2 million, the next closest is Boise with 700K.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by TacoSoup

Salt Lake City is huge compared to other cities. It’s metro has 1.2 million, the next closest is Boise with 700K.

SLC's metro is deceiving. SLC is the biggest city, but it's only 200k. Boise is actually slightly larger.

[Loyoung]

Replace Billings with Colorado Springs and this would be more appropriate.

[Turnerbro]

Not to be that guy. But I think this should be moved to the city vs city forum.

[C24L]

I would rather live in Spokane.

[E Michael Jones]

I believe that Salt Lake City is more crime ridden than the others these days. They also seem to have a homeless problem (or so I have heard). It is still a great city however, and I personally would not mind living there.

I can't say anything about the other 3, as I have not visited either.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

From its downtown, SLC feels a lot bigger than it is (and I like the big-city feel). Billings feels much smaller than it is.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by TheTimidBlueBars

From its downtown, SLC feels a lot bigger than it is (and I like the big-city feel). Billings feels much smaller than it is.

Billings MSA is 170K. When I visited it seemed like about 150K kind of place. Kind of like Lubbock or Amarillo Tx, Las Cruces, NM. Nowhere close to the size of the other three mentioned in the OP.