Great Falls vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Rochester
The Verdict
Great Falls is 6.4% less expensive than Rochester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $80,114 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $80,114 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $70,213 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Rochester's 73, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $155,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,000/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 101 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $480/month in Rochester. 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 105 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $420 in Rochester. 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 100 in Rochester. 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 $39,728 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $42,264 respectively. Great Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $927/month in Rochester. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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