Great Falls vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Reno
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.7%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $94,602 in Reno.
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 $94,602 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $59,459 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Reno
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $450,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 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 Reno, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $485/month in Reno. 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 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 96 in Reno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,800 in Great Falls and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $55,539 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 $1,438/month in Reno. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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