Great Falls, MT: A 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

Great Falls: The Data Profile (2026)

Great Falls presents a distinct economic profile for the 2026 remote worker. With a population of 60,412, it operates as a micro-economy insulated from national volatility. The median income sits at $63,934, which is 14.3% below the US average of $74,580. However, this raw income deficit is misleading without analyzing the purchasing power parity. The educational attainment is 28.3% college-educated, significantly lower than the national average of 33.1%, indicating a workforce historically anchored in trade, healthcare, and federal sectors rather than the tech or finance industries driving coastal inflation.

The statistical target demographic is the "Geo-Arbitrage Specialist." This is a remote worker earning at or above the national median ($74,580+) who can leverage the local cost structure to maximize disposable income. For locals or those seeking local employment, the math is tighter, but the stability of the 3.3% unemployment rate offers a safety net.

Cost of Living Analysis

The primary economic engine of Great Falls is the 27.2% reduction in service-based costs (Healthcare and Restaurants) compared to the US average. While housing aligns perfectly with the national index at 100.0, the savings in daily operations are substantial.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis

A remote worker earning the US median of $74,580 ($6,215/mo gross) sees a net monthly income of approximately $4,650. In Great Falls, a single person's total monthly expenditure is $2,160, leaving $2,490 in disposable income. This is roughly 40% of net pay, compared to the 15-20% typical in high-cost-of-living (HCOL) coastal cities.

Housing Market Deep Dive

Housing in Great Falls is exactly average on a national index (100.0), but this masks high volatility in the rental market for larger units. Buying remains the financially dominant strategy for long-term residents, while renting offers flexibility for transient remote workers without the capital outlay.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Relative to National Curve

The $325,000 median home price is $81,000 cheaper than the national average. Given the local interest rate environment and the $745/mo entry-level rent, the price-to-rent ratio favors buying for those staying longer than 3.5 years. However, the 0.0% index variance suggests the market is not undervalued; it is simply stable. Investors should look elsewhere for appreciation, but residents will find safety in the lack of a speculative bubble.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

In 2026, Great Falls benefits from a "hybrid" economy. The 3.3% unemployment rate is well below the 4.0% national average, driven by federal jobs (Malmstrom AFB), healthcare, and agriculture.

RTO Impact: With the national "Return to Office" push, Great Falls remains a haven. Because the city is a small metro hub, commute times are negligible. The average commute is 14.5 minutes, compared to the US average of 27.6 minutes. This saves the average worker roughly 130 hours per year in transit time. Local industry stability is high; the federal government and regional healthcare systems provide a recession-resistant floor that coastal tech hubs lack.

Quality of Life Audit

While the economic data is strong, the health data reveals a significant trade-off. The Health Score of 79.2/100 is respectable, but risk factors are elevated. The obesity rate is 35.8%, nearly 4 percentage points higher than the national average. This suggests a lifestyle heavily reliant on indoor activities during the long winter months.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety, Air Quality, and Environment

Great Falls boasts exceptional environmental metrics. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is 28, and PM2.5 levels are 4.5 µg/m³, both significantly cleaner than the US average. This is a major health mitigator against the high obesity rates.

Crime Stats:

• Violent Crime: 2.8 per 1,000 residents (National Average: 4.0)
• Property Crime: 25.1 per 1,000 residents (National Average: 19.0)

Violent crime is low, but property crime is slightly elevated, a common trait in smaller cities with high transient populations near military bases.

Schools & Weather:
Schools perform near the national average. Weather is the defining constraint: today's range of 33°F to 65°F is mild, but January averages drop to 12°F.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Purchasing Power: A remote salary goes 40% further here than the national average.
• Air Quality: AQI of 28 is top-tier globally.
• Commute: Average of 14.5 minutes maximizes free time.
• Healthcare Costs: 27.2% cheaper than the US average.

Cons:

• Obesity: At 35.8%, the population health risk is significant.
• Income Ceiling: Local wages are 14.3% lower; leaving the remote workforce carries risk.
• Winter: The 33°F low is a "warm" day for January; seasonal depression is a real factor.

Final Recommendation:
Great Falls is a Buy (High Opportunity) for remote workers earning $80,000+ annually. It is a Hold for locals due to low unemployment, and a Sell for those seeking career growth in local industries without remote access.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Great Falls?
For a single person, a salary of $65,000 provides a comfortable lifestyle with savings. For a family, $100,000 is recommended to maintain a 20% savings rate.

2. How does the value compare to other Montana cities?
Great Falls offers better value than Bozeman (where median home prices exceed $650,000) but less cultural amenities than Billings. It is the "sweet spot" for price stability.

3. Are the safety stats reliable?
Yes. With a violent crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000, it is statistically safer than 75% of US cities its size.

4. What is the best timing for relocation?
Target April to May. This avoids the deep winter freeze (lows below 10°F) and allows you to secure housing before the summer tourism spike.