Great Falls MT vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 84.8% | 70.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $538,687 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 52.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3001 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 51.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 78.3 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 26.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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