Great Falls MT vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 44,998 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 57.8 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 84.8% | 69.3% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Palmdale
65.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $503,393 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 65.0% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 63.5°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 24.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. 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, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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