Great Falls MT vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 84.8% | 69.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 14.7% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $438,754 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 55.7% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3001 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.4% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.6% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 53.0°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 39.7 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 24.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Salem 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, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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