Great Falls MT vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 84.8% | 58.0% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $35,825 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 19.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $435,532 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 42.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.4% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 47.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 48.1 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 27.3 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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