Great Falls vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Rockford
The Verdict
Rockford is 11.4% less expensive than Great Falls overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $67,330 in Rockford 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 $67,330 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $83,544 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Rockford's 52, 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 $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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