Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 60,412 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,934 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,968 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $337,690 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 433 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1984 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.8% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 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, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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