Great Falls MT vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 75,721 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 84.8% | 48.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $765,686 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 45.2% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 53.2°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 40.1 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 25.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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