Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 60,412 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 39.3 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 1.7% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 4.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $63,934 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $35,968 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 28.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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