Great Falls MT vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
San Marcos
1.4%
San Marcos +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 84.8% | 66.6% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.4% | San Marcos + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $33,835 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 24.9% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 63.3% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2339 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 22.3% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 19.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 19.7% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 68.5°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 35.7 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
San Marcos
19.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 19.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos 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, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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