Elk Grove CA 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 60,412 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.3 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 1.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 4.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $63,934 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,968 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 28.3% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 68.4% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.2% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 19.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.0% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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