City Comparison

Great Falls vs Sao Paulo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Sao Paulo

Brazil
38
Very Affordable
$145,000
Median Home
$475/mo
Median Rent
$11,500
Median Income

The Verdict

131.6%

Living in Sao Paulo costs 131.6% less than Great Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $32,386 in Sao Paulo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
22
Sao Paulo
Groceries
99
Great Falls
38
Sao Paulo
Utilities
90
Great Falls
28
Sao Paulo
Transportation
95
Great Falls
35
Sao Paulo
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
22
Sao Paulo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $32,386 in Sao Paulo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sao Paulo equals $173,684 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Sao Paulo

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Sao Paulo's 22, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $145,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $475/mo in Sao Paulo, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 38 in Sao Paulo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $181/month in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3468/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 28 in Sao Paulo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $112 in Sao Paulo. 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 22 in Sao Paulo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 70-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 $11,500 in Sao Paulo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $30,263 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 $268/month in Sao Paulo. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Sao Paulo, median rent of $475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sao Paulo is 131.6% more affordable overall with an index of 38 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $32,386 in Sao Paulo, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Sao Paulo's is 22 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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