Median rent is 37% lower in Great Falls ($866/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Great Falls, where the median home runs $237,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $63,934 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Great Falls, MT
How much would you need to earn in Great Falls, MT to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Great Falls
Montana
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Great Falls — median rent of $866/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $237,400 in Great Falls — 25% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 5.90% in Montana, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 0.00% in Montana; Great Falls has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Great Falls
Income tax: 5.90%
Sales tax: None
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Great Falls.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Great Falls if you prioritize cheaper rent ($866/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Great Falls?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Great Falls?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $866/mo in Great Falls, MT. Great Falls, MT has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Great Falls?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,934 in Great Falls, MT. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Great Falls?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Montana's is 5.90%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Great Falls to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology