Abilene TX vs Great Falls MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 60,412 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 39.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 1.7% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.0% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 4.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Great Falls
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $337,690 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.6% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.0% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA