Great Falls vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Memphis
The Verdict
Living in Memphis costs 4.8% less than Great Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $71,591 in Memphis.
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 $71,591 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $78,571 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Memphis
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $155,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $442/month in Memphis. Memphis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 92 in Memphis. 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 $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $49,081 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 $962/month in Memphis. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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