Great Falls vs Missoula

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 $98,011 in Missoula.

Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $57,391 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Missoula

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $460,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $489/month in Missoula. 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 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 102 in Missoula. 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 $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $42,812 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 $1,149/month in Missoula. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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