Great Falls vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Great Falls costs 35.8% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $116,761 in Kent.
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 $116,761 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $48,175 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Kent
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $595,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $518/month in Kent. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $71,752 respectively. Kent residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 113 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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