Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 60,412 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 1.7% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.2% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.0% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.9% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $337,690 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 433 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1984 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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