Great Falls MT vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 84.8% | 70.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $60,713 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $580,126 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 46.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.3% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 52.8°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 16.1 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 21.3 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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