Great Falls MT vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 41.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.2% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $34,474 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 22.6% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.2% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 29.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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