Great Falls MT vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 84.8% | 50.9% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 16.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $484,226 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 44.0% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 48.5°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 47.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 30.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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