Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 60,412 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 1.7% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.0% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 4.9% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $63,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,968 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,117 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 28.3% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 433 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1984 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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