Great Falls vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Surprise
The Verdict
Great Falls is 14.6% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $87,784 in Surprise 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 $87,784 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $64,078 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $419,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases