City Comparison

Great Falls vs Ocala

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Ocala

Florida
87
Below Average
$241,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Ocala being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $74,148 in Ocala.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
72
Ocala
Groceries
99
Great Falls
98
Ocala
Utilities
90
Great Falls
90
Ocala
Transportation
95
Great Falls
95
Ocala
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
92
Ocala

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $74,148 in Ocala.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ocala equals $75,862 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Ocala

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Ocala's 72, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $241,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,350/mo in Ocala, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 98 in Ocala. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $466/month in Ocala. 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 90 in Ocala. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $360 in Ocala. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 92 in Ocala. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,800 in Great Falls and $56,400 in Ocala. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $64,828 respectively. Ocala 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 $1,316/month in Ocala. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Ocala, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocala is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,148 in Ocala, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Ocala's is 72 with median homes at $241,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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