Great Falls MT vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Spokane
81.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 84.8% | 81.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 14.6% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $400,636 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 58.3% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 17.1 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 22.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. 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, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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