Great Falls vs Rapid City

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 $83,523 in Rapid City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $67,347 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Rapid City

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $325,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $485/month in Rapid City. 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 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $348 in Rapid City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $72,347 respectively. Rapid City 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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