El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 60,412 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 1.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.2% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.0% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 4.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,117 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $337,690 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.6% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 14.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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