Great Falls MT vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $51,888 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $29,679 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $61,837 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 23.3% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 26.6% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 41.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.1% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.3% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 47.5°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 35.5 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 24.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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