Great Falls vs Lakewood

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 $113,352 in Lakewood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $49,624 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Lakewood

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $574,000. The $249,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,188 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 84 in Lakewood. 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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $63,008 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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