Great Falls MT vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 84.8% | 54.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $55,176 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $30,804 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $53,141 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 22.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 55.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 834 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3177 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 17.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 58.8°F | Great Falls + |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 20.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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