Great Falls vs Stamford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Stamford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 44.3%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $134,659 in Stamford.
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 $134,659 in Stamford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $41,772 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Stamford
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $580,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $1,350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $523/month in Stamford. Great Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Great Falls and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $512 in Stamford. 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 114 in Stamford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $60,299 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 $2,223/month in Stamford. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 150 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases