Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 60,412 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 1.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.0% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³).
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