Great Falls vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Nampa
The Verdict
Living in Great Falls costs 16.2% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $89,489 in Nampa.
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 $89,489 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $62,857 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $371,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $499/month in Nampa. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 102 in Nampa. 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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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