Great Falls MT vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 57,088 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 84.8% | 66.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $1,274,801 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 57.2% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | 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 +
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 28.2 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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