Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Great Falls, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.4% of gross income.
Great Falls rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Montana cities have lower median rent than Great Falls, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Great Falls
View full rent data for Great Falls, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Great Falls, MT?
Median rent in Great Falls is $1,367 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Montana earns about $45,118 a year, which makes that rent 36.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Great Falls?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Montana (~$45,118/yr) supports up to $1,128 a month in rent. Great Falls's current median rent is $1,367/mo, which is $239/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Great Falls?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, an auto mechanic in Montana works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Great Falls's median rent of $1,367.
Where is rent cheaper than Great Falls for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Billings ($1,363/mo), Billings ($1,363/mo), Billings ($1,357/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.