Great Falls MT vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $61,454 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $55,297 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 19.1% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 55.0% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 643 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2824 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.1% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 67.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 61.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 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 +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 21.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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