Last checked October 29, 2026.
A single adult renting their own 1-bedroom in Great Falls needs about $47,500 a year, close to the $46,510 median wage there. Great Falls has the lowest home prices of the six larger towns we track.
At a glance
| Population | 60,208 (July 2025 Census estimate) |
| Region | Central Montana, Cascade County |
| Average 1-bedroom / 2-bedroom rent | $1,198 / $1,585 |
| Median home sale price | $339,715 (Redfin, 3 months ending Jun 2026) |
| Income needed, own 1-bedroom | $47,457 full budget; $47,920 by the 30% rule |
| Median wage, all jobs | $46,510 (Great Falls metro, May 2025) |
| Electric and gas | NorthWestern Energy electric; NorthWestern Energy Great Falls gas |
| Resort tax | None |
| Buses | Great Falls Transit, $1 a ride or $30 a month |
| Airport / hospital | Great Falls International (GTF) / Benefis Health System |
Rent
| Source | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zumper | $995 | $1,275 | Sep 22, 2026 |
| RentCafe | $1,483 | $1,881 | Sep 30, 2026 |
| Apartments.com | $1,115 | $1,598 | Sep 2026 |
| Average | $1,198 | $1,585 |
The sources disagree more here than anywhere else we track: RentCafe’s 1-bedroom figure is nearly $500 above Zumper’s. Treat the average as a midpoint and expect listings across that range.
Buying a home
Redfin’s median sale price was $339,715 for the three months ending June 2026, flat from a year earlier (Redfin). See property tax for the 2026 homestead rate.
Monthly budget, own 1-bedroom
| Rent | $1,198 |
| Electric and gas (typical bills) | $184 |
| Car, paid off | $441 |
| Groceries, health premium, phone and internet, eating out, renters insurance, other | $1,018 |
| Total | $2,841 |
| Salary needed with 10% saved, after taxes | $47,457 ($22.82 an hour) |
City water, sewer and stormwater rates rose an average of 27% on July 1, 2025 (The Electric). Great Falls added 118 residents in 2025 after losing 230 in 2024 (Montana Free Press). Try your own numbers in the salary calculator.
Common questions
How much do you need to make to live in Great Falls?
About $47,500 a year before taxes ($22.82 an hour) for a single adult renting their own 1-bedroom, with a paid-off car and 10% saved, at 2026 asking rents and tax rates (our calculation). The median job in the Great Falls metro paid $46,510 in May 2025 (BLS).
What is the average rent in Great Falls?
About $1,198 a month for a 1-bedroom and $1,585 for a 2-bedroom, the average of Zumper, RentCafe and Apartments.com asking rents in September 2026. The sources disagree widely: Zumper’s 1-bedroom figure is $995 and RentCafe’s is $1,483.
Is Great Falls cheap to buy a home in?
It has the lowest prices of Montana’s six larger towns: the median sale price was $339,715 for the three months ending June 2026 (Redfin), against $389,900 in Billings and $649,570 in Bozeman.
How much are property taxes in Great Falls?
On the $339,715 median home (Redfin, three months ending June 2026), about $1,794 a year if you live in it and $4,485 as a second home, at Montana’s 2026 rates and the 694.79-mill total levy for School District 1C, Great Falls (Cascade County, fiscal 2026-27). See property tax.
Does Great Falls have a sales tax?
No. Montana has no general sales tax, and Great Falls has no resort tax.