Great Falls MT vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Great Falls +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 84.8% | 74.7% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 1.2% | Great Falls + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Westminster
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $528,447 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 63.7% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3234 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.1% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 28.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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