Great Falls MT vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 84.8% | 63.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.2% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 19.5% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 47.2% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 51.8°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 39.3 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 25.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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