City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Great Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Great Falls

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

The Verdict

19.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.3%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $62,857 in Great Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
82
Great Falls
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
99
Great Falls
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
90
Great Falls
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
95
Great Falls
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
92
Great Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $62,857 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $89,489 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $325,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 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 $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 19.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,857 in Great Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Great Falls's is 82 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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