2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Great Falls, MT

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Great Falls or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Great Falls is 64.8% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Great Falls or San Mateo?
- Great Falls housing costs are 85.2% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Great Falls.
- Health related expenses are 12.5% less in Great Falls.
 San Mateo, CAGreat Falls, MTUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.9100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.7100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$268,300$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock73.7100
 Miscellaneous161.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo

Reviews for Great Falls    22 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up here. The lack of educational opportunities and adequate work opportunities made it extremely difficult to thrive. Upon leaving to the nearest metropolitan  More

   |    Reply

Please do not move to Great Falls if you are a liberal. Don't make a great red place go blue and ruin one of the last best unspoiled country places not yet destroyed by  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I lived in Great Falls from 2012-2015 and could not leave fast enough! We lived near the downtown area (which you think would be nice with a $1200/month rent...) where  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Great Falls


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.