Cary NC vs Great Falls MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Great Falls
39.3
Great Falls +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Cary
60.1%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 60,412 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 39.3 | Great Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 1.7% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.2% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 1.0% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.9% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $63,934 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $35,968 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 14.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 28.3% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 35.8% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.7% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.0% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.6% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.0% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Cary 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, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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