Salary Needed to Live in Great Falls as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $61,810/year to live comfortably in Great Falls, MT, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $61,810/year to live comfortably in Great Falls, MT. The bare-minimum salary is $51,649/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,655.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,142/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,151/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$61,810
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$51,649
$4,304/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,142
29% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Great Falls
| Expense | Great Falls | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $765 | $1,641 | -53% |
| Groceries | $379 | $320 | +18% |
| Utilities | $162 | $225 | -28% |
| Transportation | $354 | $421 | -16% |
| Car Insurance | $176 | $215 | -18% |
| Health Insurance | $458 | $642 | -29% |
| Internet | $57 | $65 | -12% |
| Phone (x2) | $123 | $140 | -12% |
| Dining & Social | $396 | $450 | -12% |
| Entertainment | $158 | $180 | -12% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $114 | $130 | -12% |
| Total Monthly | $3,142 | $4,429 | -29% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,142
Target savings (12%):$513/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,655
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$61,810
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$765
1-2BR Apartment rent is 24% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus MT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$513/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
88/100
Great Falls is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $765/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $848/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $51,649/year as the survival floor and $61,810/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Great Falls
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Great Falls?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $61,810/year ($5,151/month gross) to live comfortably in Great Falls with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Great Falls?
A 1-2br apartment in Great Falls costs approximately $765/month, which is the largest single expense at 24% of the total budget.
Is Great Falls affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Great Falls is 29% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).