City Comparison

Great Falls vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

5.4%

Great Falls is 5.4% less expensive than Lexington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $79,261 in Lexington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
82
Lexington
Groceries
99
Great Falls
96
Lexington
Utilities
90
Great Falls
91
Lexington
Transportation
95
Great Falls
98
Lexington
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $79,261 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $70,968 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is equal to Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $245,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 3 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,261 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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