Great Falls MT vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 84.8% | 59.4% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $496,966 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 56.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3409 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.9% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 53.5°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 39.2 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 31.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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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