Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 60,412 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 1.7% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.0% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 4.9% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $63,934 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $35,968 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,117 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 28.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 35.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.2% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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