Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 60,412 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 28.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $337,690 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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