salaryGreat Falls is the 3rd-largest city in Montana that we track, with 60,329 residents. Rent is lower than in 81% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $44,880 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Montana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Montana. It is number 9 of 27 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Great Falls?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Great Falls
| Size | Great Falls | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $810 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $717 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,014 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,270 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,546 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Great Falls overall?
Everyday prices in the Great Falls metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Great Falls
Life in Great Falls
What jobs pay in Great Falls
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,560 | 9.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,740 | 10.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,330 | 10.3% |
| Lawyer | $106,450 | 12.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,460 | 14.3% |
| Operations Manager | $88,780 | 15.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $80,980 | 16.6% |
| Police Officer | $78,870 | 17.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $78,330 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,290 | 17.2% |
| Plumber | $77,100 | 17.5% |
| Electrician | $76,960 | 17.5% |
| Accountant | $72,510 | 18.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,670 | 22.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,440 | 22.3% |
| Firefighter | $60,080 | 22.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,020 | 22.4% |
| Carpenter | $58,790 | 22.9% |
| Truck Driver | $54,460 | 24.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,320 | 27.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,840 | 28.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,270 | 31.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,810 | 33.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,330 | 34.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,610 | 36.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,000 | 38.5% |
| Cashier | $31,320 | 43.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,270 | 60.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Great Falls?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $661 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $257,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Great Falls, MT?
Renting in Great Falls costs a median of about $1,122 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Montana median is $1,260.
How much do I need to make to live in Great Falls?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $44,880 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Great Falls cheap or expensive?
Great Falls is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.7% of the typical household income of $68,348. It ranks 9th cheapest of 27 Montana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Great Falls?
The median homeowner in Great Falls pays $2,370 a year in property taxes, about 0.92% of the median home value.
Is Great Falls more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Great Falls?
The median home value in Great Falls is $257,000, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
60,329 people live in Great Falls. Numbers are typical (middle) values.