Great Falls MT vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 84.8% | 36.5% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $26,955 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 11.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 20.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 12.4% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $397,983 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 58.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2388 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 63.3°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 41.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 503 in Visalia. 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, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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