Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Great Falls
1.0%
Great Falls +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 60,412 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 1.7% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.0% | Great Falls + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 4.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $63,934 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $35,968 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 14.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 68.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 35.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.0% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 14.0 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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