Eugene vs Great Falls

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Eugene has the same purchasing power as $57,391 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $98,011 in Eugene.

Living in Eugene vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Eugene's housing index of 130 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: $1,400/mo in Eugene compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Eugene and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Eugene 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 91 in Eugene and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Eugene vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Eugene and 92 in Great Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,448 in Eugene and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,998 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 $1,154/month to housing in Eugene vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Eugene, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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