Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 60,412 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.3 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 1.7% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.0% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $35,968 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $62,117 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 28.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $337,690 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 433 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1984 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.2% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.6% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 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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