Great Falls MT vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Shreveport
2.6%
Shreveport +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 2.6% | Shreveport + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.9% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $48,465 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $33,788 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $55,297 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 23.6% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 27.5% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 53.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 643 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2824 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 43.1% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 17.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.1% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.1% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 52.7 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 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 +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 20.5 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. 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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