Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 60,412 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.3 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 1.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.0% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 4.9% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $63,934 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 35.8% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.2% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 14.0 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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