Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 60,412 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 39.3 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 1.7% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.0% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.9% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $337,690 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 433 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1984 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.2% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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