City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Great Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Great Falls

Montana
88
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$55,800
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.0%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to $69,474 in Great Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Cheyenne
82
Great Falls
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
99
Great Falls
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
90
Great Falls
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
95
Great Falls
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
92
Great Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $69,474 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $80,966 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $325,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne 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 90 in Cheyenne and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne 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 $57,834 in Cheyenne and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,474 in Great Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Great Falls's is 82 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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