Great Falls MT vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Peoria
3.4%
Peoria +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 42.1 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 84.8% | 72.6% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Peoria
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $488,428 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2150 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.3% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 31.2 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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