Great Falls MT vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 84.8% | 28.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 15.6% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $664,939 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 28.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 40.3 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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