Great Falls MT vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 84.8% | 63.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $570,934 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 49.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 460 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2417 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 53.0°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 22.3 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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