Casper vs Great Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Casper
Great Falls
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 8.0%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Casper has equivalent purchasing power to $69,474 in Great Falls.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $69,474 in Great Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $80,966 in Casper.
Living in Casper vs Great Falls
Housing Costs
Casper's housing index of 82 is equal to Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $325,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper 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 96 in Casper and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,200 in Casper and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 and $63,409 respectively. Casper residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases