Great Falls 79 Exceptional
Great Falls Livability #14 ranked city in Montana#2,259 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Great Falls

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

What's it like Living in Great Falls?

Great Falls, Montana is a moderately-sized city with a population of 60,209 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (86% White). Given that fact, Great Falls could be considered less diverse than other cities. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Great Falls offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Great Falls, Montana could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Great Falls and in the areas around Great Falls is a much easier task.

The livability score in Great Falls is 79/100 and the city is ranked in the 93rd percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Great Falls would be considered a very livable city! Great Falls has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Great Falls has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Great Falls, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F).

Living in Great Falls offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Great Falls provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, C.M. Russell Museum, and Gibson Park.

The Great Falls unemployment rate of 2.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Great Falls can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Great 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 Great Falls. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Great Falls are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Great Falls come in at $335,395, which is 7.9% lower than the Montana average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Great Falls, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 9.8% lower than the Montana average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Great Falls

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Great Falls?

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      Great Falls transportation information

      Statistic Great Falls Montana National
      Average one way commute15min18min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.8%75.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%1.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%5.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.7%6.3%4.6%
      Source: The Great Falls, MT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.