Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Columbia Falls, Montana is a smaller city with a population of 5,854 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (97% White). Given that fact, Columbia Falls could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Columbia Falls. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Columbia Falls could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Montana if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Columbia Falls and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, commute, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Montana and national averages.
Using data and statistics Columbia Falls has received a livability score of 68/100. This score is ranked in the 71st percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Columbia Falls has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A). Columbia Falls does not fare well for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Columbia Falls excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Columbia Falls meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Columbia Falls. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Columbia Falls are simply unattainable. The median home price for Columbia Falls homes is $398,298, which is 9.4% higher than the Montana average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Columbia Falls, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 9.8% higher than the Montana average.
| Statistic | Columbia Falls | Montana | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 18min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 86.0% | 75.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.1% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.8% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 5.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 6.3% | 4.6% |
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