Can A Lawyer Afford Rent in Great Falls, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 11.1% of gross income.
Great Falls rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).
About rent and a lawyer salary
Lawyer pay covers comfortable rent in every US city, but the surplus after rent varies sharply by metro. Big-law and federal-government lawyer pay clusters in a handful of cities where rent is also highest, which compresses the affordability margin. At the national-average lawyer salary, the 30% rule supports about $4,412 a month in rent — above the median rent in even the most expensive US metro.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Montana cities have lower median rent than Great Falls, which improves the affordability math on a lawyer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Great Falls
View full rent data for Great Falls, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a lawyer afford rent in Great Falls, MT?
Median rent in Great Falls is $1,433 a month. A typical lawyer in Montana earns about $155,294 a year, which makes that rent 11.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a lawyer afford in Great Falls?
Using the 30% rule, a lawyer salary in Montana (~$155,294/yr) supports up to $3,882 a month in rent. Great Falls's current median rent is $1,433/mo, which leaves a $2,449/mo buffer.
How many hours does a lawyer work to cover rent in Great Falls?
At an hourly equivalent of about $75 an hour, a lawyer in Montana works roughly 19.2 hours a month to cover Great Falls's median rent of $1,433.
Where is rent cheaper than Great Falls for a lawyer?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Butte ($1,432/mo), Butte ($1,432/mo), Livingston ($1,426/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a lawyer salary.