Below Average CostHigher than AverageGreat Falls Elem
Central Ave and Civic Center 2 · Montanabw / CC BY-SA 3.0Great Falls - C. M. Russell Museum · Roger Wollstadt / CC BY-SA 2.0Mal-afb-main-gate · United States Air Force / Public domainGREAT FALLS PORTAGE, CASCADE COUNTY, MONTANA · JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0
Great Falls is a mid-sized city of 60,373 in Montana, with a median household income of $58,272
and a 3.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Great Falls stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. Whether Great Falls is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Great Falls city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.6
Great Falls's overall cost of living index is 92.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Great Falls costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Great Falls, MT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$223,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$828
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,272
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Great Falls's violent crime rate is 574.4 per 100,000 residents
— 51% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
574.4 /100k
Property Crime
3426.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Great Falls is served primarily by Great Falls Elem.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Great Falls, MT
National Avg
School District
Great Falls Elem
—
Elementary Schools
15
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
26.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Great Falls sees average highs of 36.8°F in January
and 85.8°F in July,
with 15.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 66.1 inches of snow per year.
Great Falls's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Great Falls roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $223,700 and median rent is $828/month.
Great Falls's violent crime rate is 574.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3426.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Great Falls are operated by Great Falls Elem.
The district has 15 elementary, 2 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. 26.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Great Falls, MT has a population of 60,373, a median household income of $58,272, and an unemployment rate of 3.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Great Falls averages 36.8°F in January and 85.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 15.4 inches
with about 66.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Great Falls, MT is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 59404, 59405, 59401.
The population of Great Falls, Montana is 60,373 with a median age of 38.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Great Falls: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $223,700, median household income $58,272, crime index 156 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Great Falls side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
