Great Falls vs Milwaukee
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Milwaukee
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.3%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $78,409 in Milwaukee.
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 $78,409 in Milwaukee.
Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $71,739 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Milwaukee
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $175,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 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 Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $475/month in Milwaukee. 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 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 102 in Milwaukee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $47,874 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 $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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