Great Falls MT vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 48.4 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 84.8% | 74.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $60,465 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 26.8% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 61.1% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.9% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 16.4% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 72.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 54.8 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 25.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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