City Comparison

Great Falls vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
66
Racine
Groceries
99
Great Falls
97
Racine
Utilities
90
Great Falls
94
Racine
Transportation
95
Great Falls
90
Racine
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $75,000 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Racine

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $126,000. The $199,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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