Aurora IL 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 60,412 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 1.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.0% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 4.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,117 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $337,690 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 68.4% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 433 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1984 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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