Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 60,412 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 1.7% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $63,934 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,968 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $62,117 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 28.3% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1984 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.8% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.2% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.0% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.6% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.0% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 46.9°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, 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 780 in Anchorage. 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, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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