Living in Columbia Falls, Montana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia Falls · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia Falls has 5,615 residents with a median age of 36.6. The median household income is $75,766 (4% higher than the Montana median), the median home value is $384,400, the median rent is $1,016/month.
Columbia Falls at a glance
- Population
- 5,615
- Median age
- 36.6State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $75,766State: $72,509
- Median home value
- $384,400State: $375,800
- Median rent
- $1,016/moState: $1,081
- Homeowners
- 56%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32.1%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Columbia Falls a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 4% higher than the Montana median.
Cons: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 15.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Columbia Falls
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia Falls the median home value is $384,400, 16% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,016 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,661 a month in housing costs.
Columbia Falls median household income
The median household income in Columbia Falls is $75,766 and the income per person is $32,981. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).
Housing in Columbia Falls: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,471
- Owner-occupied
- 56%
- Renter-occupied
- 44%
- Vacant
- 10.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.48
Columbia Falls demographics
- Population
- 5,615
- Median age
- 36.6
- Under 18
- 24%
- 65 and older
- 11.9%
- Households
- 2,209
- Foreign-born
- 1.5%
- Veterans
- 9.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia Falls ›
Education in Columbia Falls
32.1% of adults 25 and older in Columbia Falls have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia Falls
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 14.8%
- Drive alone
- 78.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.2%
Columbia Falls vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | $384,400 | $1,016 |
| Hungry Horse | 679 | $53,056 | — | — |
| Helena Flats | 857 | $93,625 | $582,400 | — |
| Coram | 452 | $63,388 | $243,200 | — |
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | $684,300 | $1,354 |
| Evergreen | 9,611 | $76,446 | $340,800 | $1,166 |
| West Glacier | 263 | $90,000 | $497,600 | $1,008 |
| Kalispell | 28,504 | $63,415 | $428,000 | $1,078 |
| Rhodes | 110 | $61,583 | — | — |
More for people moving to Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia Falls: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia Falls, MT?
The median household income in Columbia Falls is $75,766, 4% higher than the Montana median of $72,509 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia Falls?
The median home value in Columbia Falls is $384,400, compared with $375,800 in Montana.
How much is rent in Columbia Falls?
The median gross rent in Columbia Falls is $1,016 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Columbia Falls, MT a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 4% higher than the Montana median. Minuses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 15.2%.
What is the median age in Columbia Falls?
The median age in Columbia Falls is 36.6 years (Montana: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Columbia Falls?
The average commute to work in Columbia Falls is 20 minutes; 14.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia Falls?
The unemployment rate in Columbia Falls is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia Falls?
32.1% of adults in Columbia Falls have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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