Great Falls MT vs Peoria IL — 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 11,626 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.6% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $33,805 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 27.6% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.2% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.1% | Great Falls + |
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
Great Falls +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 38.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 34.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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%.
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