Abilene vs Great Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Great Falls
The Verdict
Living in Abilene costs 9.1% less than Great Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $82,500 in Great Falls.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $82,500 in Great Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $68,182 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Great Falls
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $325,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Great Falls. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $63,409 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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