Great Falls MT vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 41.6 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 84.8% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $422,520 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 450 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2150 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.5% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 32.8 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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