Great Falls vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Medford
The Verdict
Living in Great Falls costs 17.0% less than Medford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $90,341 in Medford.
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 $90,341 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $62,264 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Medford
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $406,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $513/month in Medford. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 100 in Medford. 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 $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $69,057 respectively. Medford 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 $1,708/month in Medford. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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