Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 60,412 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.3 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 1.7% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.0% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 4.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $63,934 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $35,968 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 28.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 35.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.6% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Charleston 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, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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