Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 60,412 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.3 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 1.7% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 2.1% | 1.2% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 1.0% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 4.9% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $63,934 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $35,968 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.0% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 28.3% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 35.8% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.6% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 14.0 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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