Great Falls MT vs Winston-Salem NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 84.8% | 72.9% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $63,900 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $59,120 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 16.3% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 46.8% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1999 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.7% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.1% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.8% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 20.0 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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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