Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Columbia Falls, MT effective property tax rate: 0.78%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Montana state median of 0.83%.
Median Columbia Falls, MT home value: $423,650
Median annual Columbia Falls, MT tax bill: $3,574, $1,174 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Flathead County calculated?

Property taxes in Columbia Falls, MT are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding Columbia Falls’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Columbia Falls, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.78%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,304

$3,066

Ownwell’s Columbia Falls Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Columbia Falls with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Columbia Falls’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Flathead County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can differ significantly within a state. This variance is due to each county estimating its required budget to provide essential services and dividing that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting these rates and budgets, this is the annual process in a nutshell.

Columbia Falls, located in Flathead County, MT, has an effective property tax rate that reflects this local budgeting process. The median property tax rate in Montana is 0.78%, which is below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This lower rate can result in significant savings for homeowners compared to other regions in the United States. Understanding these rates is crucial for property owners looking to manage their expenses effectively. By comparing Columbia Falls’ property tax rate to other cities in Montana and the national median, residents can gain insight into their property tax obligations and explore potential savings through appeals or exemptions.

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Source: Ownwell

0.55%

0.70%

0.85%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Columbia Falls Tax Rate

0.78%

Median Effective Flathead County Tax Rate

0.75%

Median Effective Montana Tax Rate

0.83%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
59912	0.64%	0.78%	0.78%	0.97%	0.97%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

When examining property taxes in Columbia Falls, MT, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Flathead County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

In Flathead County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Columbia Falls. For example, the median home price in Columbia Falls is $423,650, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 59912 has the highest median home price at $423,650.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Source: Ownwell

$167,185

$410,154

$653,122

Median Columbia Falls Market Value

$423,650

Median Flathead County Market Value

$447,500

Median Montana Market Value

$317,400

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
59912	$48,712	$297,708	$423,650	$588,076	$779,423

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

In Columbia Falls, located in Flathead County, MT, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local tax assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual property tax bill. Factors influencing this calculation include the property's location, size, and any applicable exemptions. With a median home price of $423,650, homeowners in Columbia Falls often face property tax bills that vary significantly, ranging from $2,527 at the 25th percentile to $6,147 at the 90th percentile. The median tax bill in the city is $3,574, which is higher than the national median of $2,400. This can be a significant expense for homeowners, impacting their overall financial health. Ownwell offers services to help homeowners in Columbia Falls reduce their property tax bills by ensuring that their property's assessed value is fair and accurate. By appealing excessive assessments and identifying potential exemptions, Ownwell can help homeowners save money and alleviate the burden of high property taxes.

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Source: Ownwell

$1,505

$2,901

$4,297

Median Columbia Falls Tax Bill

$3,574

Median Flathead County Tax Bill

$3,622

Median Montana Tax Bill

$2,646

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
59912	$517	$2,527	$3,574	$4,677	$6,147

Source: Ownwell