Great Falls MT vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Great Falls
60,412
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Great Falls & West Palm Beach