Great Falls MT vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 84.8% | 80.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.1% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $61,587 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $561,069 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 46.7% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 47.3 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 21.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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