Property Taxes in Great Falls
Great Falls' property tax picture runs genuinely, honestly LESS favorably than Montana's own statewide average -- the city's own cited effective rate (~1.03%, Ownwell) sits essentially at, and very slightly above, the ~1.02% national comparison figure this project uses consistently -- though this record discloses Montana's real, current 2025-2026 tiered homestead-rate reform directly.
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Learn moreMontana's Statewide Rate Is Genuinely Moderate, but Great Falls' Own Rate Runs Higher
Montana's real, current statewide effective property tax rate is cited in a roughly 0.72%-0.78% range across sources reviewed this pass -- genuinely moderate by national standards. However, this record discloses directly that Great Falls' own city-specific citation (Ownwell) ran meaningfully higher, at approximately 1.03% -- essentially at, and very slightly above, the ~1.02% national comparison figure, a real, disclosed, genuinely LESS favorable local picture than the statewide average would suggest.
Cascade County Runs Between the Statewide and City-Specific Figures
Cascade County's own citation ran approximately 0.98%-1.01% across sources, with a median annual bill around $2,379 on a home valued around $239,000-$243,300 -- between Montana's statewide average and Great Falls' own higher city-specific figure.
Real, Cited Intra-City ZIP-Level Variation
Ownwell cited Great Falls ZIP-level annual tax bills ranging from approximately $588/year (ZIP 59402) to $2,671/year (ZIP 59404) -- attributed primarily to differing school-district levies and local assessment districts -- a real, disclosed, genuinely substantial intra-city spread this record does not resolve to one citywide number.
Montana's Real, Current 2025-2026 Tiered Homestead-Rate Reform
Montana enacted a real, current tiered homestead property-tax-rate structure for the 2025-2026 cycle, in the wake of the real, documented 2023 statewide-reappraisal controversy: 0.76% on value up to $378,000, 0.90% on $378,001-$756,000, 1.10% on $756,001-$1,511,999, and 1.90% on $1,512,000+, for owner-occupied principal residences -- while non-homestead residential property (second homes, cabins, short-term rentals) is subject to a flat 1.90% rate. Homeowners must file a homestead classification with the Montana Department of Revenue by March 1 to qualify.
Confirm a Specific Address Directly With the Cascade County Assessor
Given the real, disclosed intra-city variation above and the tiered homestead-rate structure, buyers and movers should confirm a specific target property's current assessed value, levy, homestead eligibility, and any applicable exemptions directly with the Cascade County Assessor rather than relying on a citywide or countywide average.
Key takeaways
- Great Falls' own city-specific effective property tax rate (~1.03%, Ownwell) runs essentially at, and very slightly above, the national comparison figure -- less favorable than Montana's statewide average (~0.72%-0.78%).
- Cascade County's own citation (~0.98%-1.01%) runs between the statewide and city-specific figures.
- Real, cited ZIP-level annual tax bills within Great Falls range from approximately $588 to $2,671.
- Montana's real, current 2025-2026 tiered homestead-rate structure lowers rates for owner-occupied primary residences below a $378,000 statewide median value threshold -- file with the Montana DOR by March 1 to qualify.
- Confirm a specific property's current tax bill and homestead eligibility directly with the Cascade County Assessor.
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