Great Falls vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Hilo
The Verdict
Great Falls is 33.3% less expensive than Hilo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $112,500 in Hilo to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $112,500 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $50,000 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $555,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $708/month in Hilo. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2856/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $872 in Hilo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,800 in Great Falls and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $59,621 respectively. Great Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $1,836/month in Hilo. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 128 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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