Great Falls vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Raleigh
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.7%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $86,932 in Raleigh.
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 $86,932 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $64,706 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $370,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $65,947 respectively. Raleigh 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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