Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Albany
53.0%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 60,412 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 1.7% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,117 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 28.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $337,690 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1984 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.0% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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