Great Falls MT vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 84.8% | 61.6% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 16.4% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 48.0% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1992 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.8% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 30.6 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 24.2 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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