Great Falls MT vs Kailua HI — 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%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Kailua
N/A
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 84.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,296 | Kailua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $1,530,716 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2592 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Kailua
18.3%
Kailua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Kailua
14.9%
Kailua +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.5% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.8% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.8% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.3% | Kailua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.9% | Kailua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 69.3°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 107.9 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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