Great Falls vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Olympia
The Verdict
Living in Great Falls costs 21.4% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $95,455 in Olympia.
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 $95,455 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $58,929 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $495,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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