Fort Collins vs Great Falls

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $56,897 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $98,864 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $325,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins 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 87 in Fort Collins and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $63,409 respectively. Fort Collins residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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