Great Falls MT vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
St. Charles
71,542
St. Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
St. Charles
4.2%
St. Charles +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
St. Charles
1.4%
St. Charles +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 71,542 | St. Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 4.2% | St. Charles + |
| White | 84.8% | 80.4% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.4% | St. Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $55,578 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $31,499 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,527 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 18.7% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 22.7% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 61.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2418 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
St. Charles
18.4%
St. Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.4% | St. Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
St. Charles
18.3 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 18.3 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. 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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