Great Falls MT vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 84.8% | 73.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $61,837 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 16.2% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $429,253 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 46.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 20.8% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 37.3 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 21.2 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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