Great Falls MT vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 84.8% | 35.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $29,766 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 15.5% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 20.1% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $466,147 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 58.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.3% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.9% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 62.1°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 33.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Great Falls, MT vs New York, NYGreat Falls, MT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Great Falls, MTGreat Falls, MT vs Houston, TXGreat Falls, MT vs Phoenix, AZGreat Falls, MT vs Philadelphia, PA