City Comparison

Great Falls vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Oxnard

California
154
Very Expensive
$653,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$96,200
Median Income

The Verdict

42.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 42.9%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $131,250 in Oxnard.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
253
Oxnard
Groceries
99
Great Falls
112
Oxnard
Utilities
90
Great Falls
107
Oxnard
Transportation
95
Great Falls
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $131,250 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $42,857 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $653,000. The $328,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $532/month in Oxnard. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $428 in Oxnard. 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 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $62,468 respectively. Great Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 171 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 42.9% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $131,250 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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