Great Falls MT vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 84.8% | 40.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 20.1% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $429,449 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 41.2% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.6% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 27.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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