Athens vs Great Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Athens
Great Falls
The Verdict
Athens is 0.0% less expensive than Great Falls overall. A household earning $75,000 in Athens would need approximately $75,000 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 Athens has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Great Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $75,000 in Athens.
Living in Athens vs Great Falls
Housing Costs
Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $325,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens vs $470/month in Great Falls. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Athens and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens 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 97 in Athens 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 $56,700 in Athens and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 and $63,409 respectively. Athens residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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