Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 60,412 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.3 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 1.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 4.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $62,117 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 433 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1984 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Great Falls
15.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.2% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA