Great Falls MT vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 84.8% | 40.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $51,339 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $27,054 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 25.3% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 19.7% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 49.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.1% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.5% | Great Falls + |
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
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 22.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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