City Comparison

Great Falls vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

Living in Great Falls costs 17.0% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Great Falls, you would need $90,341 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
127
Warwick
Groceries
99
Great Falls
102
Warwick
Utilities
90
Great Falls
112
Warwick
Transportation
95
Great Falls
105
Warwick
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $62,264 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $413,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Falls is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,341 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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