Great Falls MT vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 84.8% | 76.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $575,076 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 58.1% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.6% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.7% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 51.4°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 17.3 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 28.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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