Great Falls vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 3.5% less than Great Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $72,443 in Odessa.
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 $72,443 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $77,647 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $223,000. The $102,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 96 in Odessa. 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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa 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 $1,715/month in Odessa. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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