Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 60,412 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 39.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 1.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.2% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.0% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 4.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $63,934 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 14.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.3% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $337,690 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.2% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.6% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.0% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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