Great Falls MT vs Southaven MS — 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%
Southaven, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$276,140
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Southaven
N/A
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 84.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $46,995 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Southaven
$276,140
Southaven +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $276,140 | Southaven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Southaven
1808
Southaven +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 247 | Southaven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1808 | Southaven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Southaven
37.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Southaven
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Southaven
10.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Southaven
14.2%
Southaven +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.2% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.7% | Southaven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Southaven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.2% | Southaven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | 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 +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Southaven
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 10.0 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
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Southaven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $276,140. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. 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