Great Falls MT vs Jackson MS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Great Falls +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Great Falls +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 1.5% | Great Falls + |
| White | 84.8% | 14.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 0.3% | Great Falls + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 2.2% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $43,238 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $26,868 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $46,995 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 9.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 26.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 48.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 46.0% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.8% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.1% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 64.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 54.1 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 21.9 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. 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, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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