Great Falls vs Ithaca
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Ithaca
The Verdict
Great Falls is 6.4% less expensive than Ithaca overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $80,114 in Ithaca 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 $80,114 in Ithaca.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $70,213 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Ithaca
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $324,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $489/month in Ithaca. 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 Great Falls and 102 in Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $408 in Ithaca. 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 99 in Ithaca. 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 $55,800 in Great Falls and $48,600 in Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $51,702 respectively. Great Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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