City Comparison

Great Falls vs Jacksonville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Jacksonville

Florida
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$53,025
Median Income

The Verdict

7.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.4%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $80,966 in Jacksonville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
89
Jacksonville
Groceries
99
Great Falls
101
Jacksonville
Utilities
90
Great Falls
94
Jacksonville
Transportation
95
Great Falls
103
Jacksonville
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
95
Jacksonville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $80,966 in Jacksonville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jacksonville equals $69,474 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Jacksonville

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Jacksonville's 89, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $280,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,400/mo in Jacksonville, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 101 in Jacksonville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $480/month in Jacksonville. 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 94 in Jacksonville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $376 in Jacksonville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 95 in Jacksonville. 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 $53,025 in Jacksonville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $55,816 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 $1,237/month in Jacksonville. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 7.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,966 in Jacksonville, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Jacksonville's is 89 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases