Garden 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)
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garden Grove
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Garden Grove
39.6
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Garden Grove
28.4%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Garden Grove
1.3%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Garden Grove
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 60,412 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 45.3% | 1.7% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 28.4% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Asian | 41.6% | 1.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 37.6% | 4.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Garden Grove
$32,387
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Garden Grove
5.8%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garden Grove
24.9%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,166 | $63,934 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,387 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,117 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.0% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Garden Grove
53.6%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,012,728 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
503
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garden Grove
2388
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Garden 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
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
14.1%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.0% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garden Grove
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Garden 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.)
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garden Grove
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garden 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
Garden Grove
31.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Garden Grove, CA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, 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 Garden 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, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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