Great Falls vs Vancouver
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Vancouver
The Verdict
Great Falls is 27.9% less expensive than Vancouver overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $103,977 in Vancouver 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 $103,977 in Vancouver.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $54,098 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Vancouver
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $525,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $494/month in Vancouver. 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 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $348 in Vancouver. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver 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 $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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