Great Falls MT vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 84.8% | 57.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,527 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 14.6% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 54.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2418 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.5% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.6% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 54.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 38.9 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 23.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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