City Comparison

Denton vs Great Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

Great Falls

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

The Verdict

22.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.7%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $61,111 in Great Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
82
Great Falls
Groceries
98
Denton
99
Great Falls
Utilities
90
Denton
90
Great Falls
Transportation
87
Denton
95
Great Falls
Healthcare
81
Denton
92
Great Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $61,111 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $92,045 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $385,000 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: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton 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 $73,700 in Denton and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $63,409 respectively. Denton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 22.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,111 in Great Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Great Falls's is 82 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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