Great Falls MT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 84.8% | 39.1% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.5% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 14.5% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $580,173 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 41.1% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1999 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 24.0% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 32.8 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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