Great Falls MT vs San Bernardino CA — 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 84.8% | 27.6% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $23,980 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 19.5% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 12.8% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $492,059 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 48.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.1% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 20.2% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.1% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | 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
Great Falls +
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 30.7 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 503 in San Bernardino. 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%.
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