Great Falls MT vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Springfield
4.5%
Springfield +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Great Falls +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 40.7 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 4.5% | Springfield + |
| White | 84.8% | 70.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.4% | Great Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 16.5% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 63.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.1% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 37.7 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 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
Great Falls +
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 19.4 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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