Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 60,412 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 1.7% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 46.8% | 1.2% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.0% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.9% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $337,690 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 433 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1984 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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