Great Falls MT vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 84.8% | 58.2% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $54,546 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $31,152 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 18.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 51.7% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 69.8°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 23.9 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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