City Comparison

Great Falls vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

Montana
88
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$55,800
Median Income

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

25.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.4%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $100,568 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
82
Great Falls
137
New Haven
Groceries
99
Great Falls
106
New Haven
Utilities
90
Great Falls
124
New Haven
Transportation
95
Great Falls
102
New Haven
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $100,568 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $55,932 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $250,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 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 New Haven, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $504/month in New Haven. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $496 in New Haven. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, 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 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 25.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,568 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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