Great Falls MT vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 84.8% | 51.2% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 57.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.9% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 70.2°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 50.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 26.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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