City Comparison

Great Falls vs Louisville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

Living in Great Falls costs 3.3% less than Louisville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $77,557 in Louisville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
77
Louisville
Groceries
99
Great Falls
96
Louisville
Utilities
90
Great Falls
91
Louisville
Transportation
95
Great Falls
100
Louisville
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
93
Louisville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $77,557 in Louisville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Louisville equals $72,527 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Louisville

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Louisville's 77, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $210,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,100/mo in Louisville, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 93 in Louisville. 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 $52,238 in Louisville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $57,404 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 $1,219/month in Louisville. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 5 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,557 in Louisville, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Louisville's is 77 with median homes at $210,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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