City Comparison

Great Falls vs Roseville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

Montana
88
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$55,800
Median Income

Roseville

California
139
Expensive
$625,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$142,800
Median Income

The Verdict

36.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 36.7%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $118,466 in Roseville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
82
Great Falls
179
Roseville
Groceries
99
Great Falls
105
Roseville
Utilities
90
Great Falls
163
Roseville
Transportation
95
Great Falls
134
Roseville
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
106
Roseville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $118,466 in Roseville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roseville equals $47,482 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Roseville

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Roseville's 179, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $625,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $2,000/mo in Roseville, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 105 in Roseville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $499/month in Roseville. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 163 in Roseville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $652 in Roseville. 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 106 in Roseville. 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 $142,800 in Roseville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $102,734 respectively. Roseville 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 $3,332/month in Roseville. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Roseville, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 36.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $118,466 in Roseville, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Roseville's is 179 with median homes at $625,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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