Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 60,412 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $337,690 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. 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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