Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 60,412 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.3 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 1.7% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $63,934 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $35,968 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.0% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.8% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.2% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Charlotte 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, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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