Great Falls vs West Valley City

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 $91,193 in West Valley City.

Conversely, $75,000 in West Valley City equals $61,682 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs West Valley City

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is lower West Valley City's 129, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $485,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $1,350/mo in West Valley City, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 100 in West Valley City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls vs $475/month in West Valley City. 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 88 in West Valley City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $352 in West Valley City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 95 in West Valley City. 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 $72,600 in West Valley City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $67,850 respectively. West Valley City 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 $1,694/month in West Valley City. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In West Valley City, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases