Great Falls MT vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| 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
Great Falls +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $530,668 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 460 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2417 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.8% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 52.4°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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