Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 60,412 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.3 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 1.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $63,934 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $35,968 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 28.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $337,690 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 433 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1984 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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