Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Great Falls
1.0%
Great Falls +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 60,412 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 1.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 0.3% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.0% | Great Falls + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $337,690 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA