Great Falls vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Tempe
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.0%, with Great Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $90,341 in Tempe.
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 $90,341 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $62,264 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $400,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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