Great Falls MT vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $60,698 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 22.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 52.3% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 57.1°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 48.5 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 34.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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