Great Falls MT vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 84.8% | 69.9% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $52,606 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 15.7% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 53.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 55.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 45.2 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 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 +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 22.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³).
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