City Comparison

Gilbert vs Great Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

Great Falls

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

The Verdict

26.1%

Living in Great Falls costs 26.1% less than Gilbert. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gilbert, you would need $59,459 in Great Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Gilbert
82
Great Falls
Groceries
100
Gilbert
99
Great Falls
Utilities
96
Gilbert
90
Great Falls
Transportation
103
Gilbert
95
Great Falls
Healthcare
95
Gilbert
92
Great Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has the same purchasing power as $59,459 in Great Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Great Falls equals $94,602 in Gilbert.

Living in Gilbert vs Great Falls

Housing Costs

Gilbert's housing index of 128 is higher Great Falls's 82, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $325,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Gilbert compared to $1,050/mo in Great Falls, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Gilbert and 99 in Great Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Gilbert 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 96 in Gilbert and 90 in Great Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gilbert vs $360 in Great Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Gilbert 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 $94,518 in Gilbert and $55,800 in Great Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,151 and $63,409 respectively. Gilbert residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,205/month to housing in Gilbert vs $1,302/month in Great Falls. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 26.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,459 in Great Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Gilbert's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Great Falls's is 82 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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