Cost of Living in Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls' cost of living runs above the Montana statewide housing average, though the state's favorable tax structure applies alongside a real, local 3% resort tax.
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Learn moreA real, disclosed housing premium
Every housing figure this pass reviewed for Columbia Falls ran above Montana's own $467,919 statewide average home value and the ~$408,776 national median.
Montana's favorable statewide tax structure applies
No general state sales tax and a statewide average effective property tax rate of approximately 0.74%, both real, disclosed cost advantages.
A real, local 3% resort tax
Columbia Falls levies a real, disclosed 3% local resort tax on lodging, restaurants, and other tourism-facing retail within city limits, one of just 11 Montana communities with one.
Key takeaways
- Columbia Falls' housing costs run above both the Montana statewide average and the national median.
- Montana's no-general-sales-tax and below-national property tax structure apply.
- A real, local 3% resort tax applies to lodging and tourism-facing retail specifically.
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