Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 60,412 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.3 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 1.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.0% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 4.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $63,934 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $35,968 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,117 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 28.3% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 35.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, 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 512 in Aurora. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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