Great Falls MT vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 84.8% | 54.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $51,468 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $28,819 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 24.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 48.9% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 2339 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 20.4% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.1% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 66.6°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 36.4 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 19.7 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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