Anchorage vs Great Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Anchorage
Great Falls
The Verdict
Great Falls is 44.3% less expensive than Anchorage overall. A household earning $75,000 in Anchorage would need approximately $51,969 in Great Falls to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Anchorage has the same purchasing power as $51,969 in Great Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $108,239 in Anchorage.
Living in Anchorage vs Great Falls
Housing Costs
Anchorage's housing index of 142 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $325,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Anchorage compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 120 in Anchorage and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $570/month in Anchorage vs $470/month in Great Falls. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1200/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 130 in Anchorage and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $520 in Anchorage vs $360 in Great Falls. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 128 in Anchorage and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $72,515 in Anchorage and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,098 and $63,409 respectively. Great Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,692/month to housing in Anchorage vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Anchorage, median rent of $1,400/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases