Gastonia 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)
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
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
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 60,412 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.3 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 1.7% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.2% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.0% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.9% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $337,690 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.6% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, 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
Gastonia
28.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia 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%.
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