Fremont 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Fremont +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 60,412 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 39.3 | Fremont + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 1.7% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 2.9% | 1.2% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 1.0% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $63,934 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $35,968 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 14.0% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 28.3% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 35.8% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.7% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 19.2% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 10.0% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.6% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 15.0% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
33.9 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 Fremont. 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, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fremont, CA vs New York, NYFremont, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fremont, CAFremont, CA vs Houston, TXFremont, CA vs Phoenix, AZFremont, CA vs Philadelphia, PA