Cost of Living in Columbia Falls, MT

Get 300+ Local Insights for Any Address in Columbia Falls, MT

Get Access to 300+ Local Data Points
A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Columbia Falls Montana National
Cost of living104103100
Goods & Services106109100
Groceries99101100
Health care109111100
Housing110101100
Transportation105104100
Utilities8382100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

Homes For Sale In Columbia Falls, MT

property for sale

250 Patriots Ln

Columbia Falls, MT
property for sale

1885 Conn Rd

Columbia Falls, MT
property for sale

100 Lynnewood Dr

Columbia Falls, MT
property for sale

158 Lynnewood Dr

Columbia Falls, MT

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Columbia Falls is 1% higher than the Montana average
  • The cost of living in Columbia Falls is 4% higher than the national average
  • Columbia Falls housing is 10% higher than the national average
  • Montana general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Montana state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Columbia Falls

See all the best places to live around Columbia Falls

Compare Columbia Falls, MT Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Columbia Falls?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Columbia Falls?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Columbia Falls poll results

      The best places in Montana

      Here are the best places to live in MontanaThese are the 10 cheapest cities in MontanaThese are the largest cities in MontanaCheck out the 10 most dangerous cities in Montana
      Best Places in Montana

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$91,683$7,640$2,139$2,751
      Renters$29,232$2,436$682$877
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Columbia Falls, MT, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Columbia Falls have a median income of $91,683. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,139 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $29,232, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $682.

      Montana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Montana 0% 0%

      Montana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Montana 1% 6.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.52$27.623.3%
      Beauty Salon $55.10$51.117.8%
      Toothpaste $3.94$4.093.7%
      Shampoo $1.35$1.5412.5%
      Movie $13.09$12.881.6%
      Yoga $17.37$19.6611.7%

      Groceries

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.64$7.700.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.6612.2%
      Milk $4.67$4.731.3%
      Potatoes $4.34$5.2617.4%
      Pizza $13.03$12.762.1%
      Beer $10.24$10.552.9%

      Health Care

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $134.12$140.064.2%
      Doctor $185.51$153.8220.6%
      Dentist $117.60$123.154.5%
      Ibuprofen $11.46$11.732.3%
      Lipitor $27.81$23.6117.8%

      Housing

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      Home Price $398,298.00$326,622.0021.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,993.17$2,480.2561.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,179.00$1,444.0018.4%

      Transportation

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.26$3.066.6%
      Tire Balancing $65.79$65.210.9%

      Utilities

      Item Columbia Falls National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $169.04$220.1223.2%
      Phone $183.52$195.716.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hungry Horse, MT6698713.3%
      Martin City, MT3778911.1%
      Batavia, MT495982.4%
      Coram, MT3101022.3%
      Evergreen, MT8,6601066.4%
      Columbia Falls, MT5,8541043.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stirling-Rawdon, ON5,854n/a 
      Estherville, IA5,8538614.3%
      Bay Roberts, NL5,853n/a 
      Webster, NY5,856982.1%
      Keyes, CA5,85111817.8%
      Columbia Falls, MT5,8541043.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
      General
      For Professionals
      Follow Us
      AV on Twitter AV on Facebook
      © AreaVibes Inc. 2010-2026