Great Falls vs Meridian

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 $102,273 in Meridian.

Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $55,000 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Meridian

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $509,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $494/month in Meridian. 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 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,800 in Great Falls and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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