Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 60,412 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 39.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $337,690 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville 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, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA