Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Augusta +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Augusta
32.8%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 60,412 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.3 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 1.7% | Augusta + |
| White | 32.8% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.0% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.9% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $337,690 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta 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).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA