Great Falls MT vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 84.8% | 31.9% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $720,443 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 41.2% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.4% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 59.2°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 32.2 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, 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 +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 25.2 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. 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, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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