Great Falls MT vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 84.8% | 80.9% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 55.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 20.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 51.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 29.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 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 +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 20.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 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). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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