Augusta vs Great Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Great Falls
The Verdict
Great Falls is 1.1% less expensive than Augusta overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $74,157 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 Augusta has the same purchasing power as $74,157 in Great Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $75,852 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Great Falls
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $325,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta 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 108 in Augusta and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta 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 114 in Augusta and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 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 $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Augusta, 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 Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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