Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
84.8%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 60,412 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,934 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,968 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $62,117 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $337,690 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 68.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 433 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1984 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 19.2% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.6% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.0% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Great Falls
16.1 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 16.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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