Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 60,412 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 1.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 4.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $63,934 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $35,968 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,117 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 28.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 433 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1984 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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