Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Boise
83.6%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 60,412 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.3 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 1.7% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.2% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $63,934 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $35,968 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 28.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 433 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1984 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 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).
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