Great Falls MT vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 84.8% | 45.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $55,279 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $58,527 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 19.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 45.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 24.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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%.
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