Great Falls MT vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 84.8% | 53.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 14.3% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $411,323 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 57.1% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 17.3% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 72.1°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 27.7 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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