Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 60,412 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 1.7% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 4.9% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $63,934 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $35,968 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 28.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $337,690 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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