Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 60,412 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 1.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.2% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.0% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $63,934 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $35,968 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.0% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 28.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.7% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.0% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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