Great Falls MT vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Great Falls +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 51,054 | Great Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 84.8% | 64.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $57,688 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $35,780 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 9.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 23.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 36.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.1% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.7% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | 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 +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 22.7 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. 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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