countyscore
66.1
County Score
Safety 87.8Income & Jobs 81.7Property Tax 79.5

County Report Card

About Carbon County, Montana

Far ahead of national averages

Carbon County earns an impressive composite score of 64.8, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This high score reflects a combination of safety, health, and economic prosperity.

One of Montana's premier counties

At 64.8, Carbon County easily beats the Montana state average of 56.4. It represents one of the most desirable regions in the state for those seeking a high overall quality of life.

Elite safety and health metrics

The county boasts an elite safety score of 87.8 and a strong health score of 74.4. Furthermore, its tax score of 80.9 is buoyed by a very low effective tax rate of 0.548%.

High barriers to entry

Cost is the primary challenge here, with a cost score of 37.6 reflecting median home values of $379,300. Additionally, the water score of 26.3 indicates room for improvement in environmental infrastructure.

Perfect for affluent active families

Carbon County is an excellent fit for families with higher incomes who prioritize wellness and security. It offers a premium lifestyle where the higher cost of real estate is offset by safety and low taxes.

2040608010079.54287.874.463.381.740.226.336Tax79.5Cost42Safety87.8Health74.4Schools63.3Income81.7Risk40.2Water26.3Weather3666.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Carbon County DNA

D+overall

How Carbon County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Carbon County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (87.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (26.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.5+27.5
Cost
42
Safety
87.8+32.8
Health
74.4+24.400000000000006
Schools
63.3+9.299999999999997
Income
81.7+30.700000000000003
Risk
40.2
Water
26.3-31.7
Weather
36-20
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Compare mortgage rates in Carbon County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$420,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$844/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$420,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,261/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

110.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Stillwater County
Montana
59.4
Sweet Grass County
Montana
64.6
Yellowstone County
Montana
32.6
Big Horn County
Wyoming
64.5
Big Horn County
Montana
41.5
Golden Valley County
Montana
67.4
Park County
Montana
48.8
Park County
Wyoming
58.1

Deep Dives

Carbon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Carbon County

via TaxByCounty

Carbon County's lowest rate, highest values

Carbon's 0.548% effective tax rate is the nation's lowest in this dataset, yet the median home value of $379,300 generates a $2,080 tax bill—near the national median of $2,690. This reflects Carbon's unusual position as a low-rate county with premium properties.

Second-lowest rate, highest home values

Carbon ranks second in Montana for lowest effective rate at 0.548%, just below Broadwater's 0.606%. With median home values of $379,300—the highest in this dataset—the county's median tax of $2,080 exceeds the state median by $278, a testament to property values outpacing the low rate.

Carbon combines low rates with premium prices

Carbon's 0.548% rate trails Broadwater (0.606%) and Beaverhead (0.665%), but its $379,300 median home value far exceeds both neighbors. This creates a paradox: the lowest rates paired with the highest absolute tax bills in southwest Montana.

Annual tax bill on median home

A median-priced home valued at $379,300 in Carbon County generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,080. With a mortgage, expect about $1,980; without one, roughly $2,219 annually.

High values warrant careful assessment review

Carbon County's premium home values mean even small percentage errors in assessment translate to hundreds in taxes. Request a full reassessment if recent comparable sales suggest your home's appraised value exceeds its true market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carbon County

via IncomeByCounty

Carbon County nears the national median

Carbon County's median household income of $71,017 sits just 5% below the U.S. median of $74,755, making it Montana's strongest-earning county in this dataset. The county ranks among America's upper-middle-income rural areas.

Montana's top earner in this group

Carbon County's $71,017 median household income runs 14% above Montana's state average of $62,295 and is the highest among the eight counties analyzed. Per capita income of $42,734 similarly leads the state average of $35,700.

Carbon significantly outearns regional peers

Carbon's $71,017 median income substantially exceeds all compared counties: Broadwater ($63,636), Cascade ($66,203), Blaine ($65,050), and Chouteau ($56,927). The county's economic strength reflects stable employment and industrial investment.

Strong income meets premium housing costs

Carbon's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% remains healthy despite median home values of $379,300—the dataset's highest. The median home requires 5.3 years of household income, demanding significant savings but within reach for career-established households.

Leverage Carbon's economic strength

With the region's highest incomes and per capita earnings, Carbon County households can aggressively build wealth through retirement accounts, real estate equity, and diversified investments. Start maxing out 401(k)s and consider additional investment properties as portfolio diversification.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Carbon County

via CrimeByCounty

Top-Tier National Safety

Carbon County boasts an impressive safety score of 99.6, making it one of the safest places in America. The total crime rate of 263.0 per 100K is roughly 10% of the national average.

Standout State Performer

Carbon County is a standout in Montana, with a crime rate far lower than the state average of 1,112.5. It easily exceeds the state's average safety score of 98.2.

Safer Than Regional Neighbors

Compared to neighboring Big Horn County's rate of 1,711.2, Carbon County is significantly more secure. Residents enjoy one of the lowest crime environments in the entire region.

Minimal Criminal Activity

Property crime is exceptionally low at 178.5 per 100K, and violent crime is just 84.5. These numbers mean that serious incidents are rare occurrences for the local population.

Preserving Local Peace

Maintaining this level of safety relies on community vigilance and reporting suspicious activity. Simple steps like using smart doorbells can help keep property crime rates at their current lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Carbon County

via WeatherByCounty

Rugged Terrain With Cool Averages

Carbon County’s annual average temperature of 44.3°F sits below the national median. Its location at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains dictates this temperate mountain climate.

Aligned With Montana's Thermal Average

At 44.3°F, the county is just slightly warmer than the Montana state average of 43.7°F. It balances high-altitude cold with warmer valley winds.

Heavy Snowfall Compared to Neighbors

Carbon County receives a massive 74.4 inches of snow annually, nearly double that of neighboring Big Horn. Its 15.7 inches of precipitation is also slightly above the state average.

Brisk Winters and High Snow Totals

July averages 67.9°F with 23 days reaching over 90°F. However, winter is the dominant season, featuring a 24.9°F average and significant snow accumulation.

Heavy-Duty Snow Removal is Essential

With over 74 inches of snow, residents must have reliable four-wheel drive and professional-grade snow blowers. Homeowners should also check roof load ratings for heavy winter accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Carbon County

via SoilByCounty

Carbon County's Soil Chemistry

Digital data for Carbon County's soil taxonomy and pH is not currently available. Most Montana soil is more alkaline than the national median of 6.5, often nearing the state average of 7.43. A professional soil test is the best way to uncover your specific pH and tax order.

Understanding Local Texture Profiles

The breakdown of sand, silt, and clay for this area remains unquantified in the current dataset. These elements determine how well your soil drains and how much effort is needed to till the land. Local variation is common, so check your soil's feel to plan your gardening strategy.

Building Fertile Soils in Carbon

Organic matter and water capacity data are currently unlisted for the county. For comparison, the average Montana soil has an organic matter content of 2.54%. Improving your soil's ability to hold water close to the state average of 0.165 in/in will ensure more resilient harvests.

Managing Hydrology on the Land

There is currently no data on dominant drainage classes or hydrologic groups for Carbon County. Proper water management is vital for preventing erosion on slopes and maintaining healthy root systems. Watch your land during the spring thaw to understand its natural drainage behavior.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 5a

Carbon County is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, which supports a wide range of cold-tolerant fruits and vegetables. Apples and hardy stone fruits often find a happy home in this climate. Get started by planting varieties that can handle the occasional late-spring snow.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Carbon County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Growing Potential in Carbon County

With a lawn difficulty score of 40.4, Carbon County offers a much easier experience than the Montana state average. Its Zone 5a hardiness and slightly better rainfall make it a competitive spot for residential turf.

Balanced Moisture and Growing Days

Your annual precipitation of 15.7 inches actually beats the state average of 15.4 inches. With 23 extreme heat days and 1,836 growing degree days, the climate supports a healthy, active growing season from May through September.

A Natural Base for Green Grass

Local soil data is currently unavailable, but the moderate rainfall suggests a relatively stable soil environment. To prepare for the May 29th last frost date, focus on clearing debris and checking for soil compaction that occurred over the winter.

Staying Ahead of Abnormal Dryness

While Carbon County saw only 17 weeks of drought last year, 86.6% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Maintaining a consistent irrigation schedule now will prevent your turf from slipping into dormancy during the next dry spell.

A Mid-Spring Start for Best Results

The window between the May 29th frost and the September 19th freeze is your prime time for lawn care. Standard cool-season grasses like Perennial Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass thrive in these Carbon County conditions.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carbon County's county score?
Carbon County, Montana has a composite county score of 66.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Carbon County rank among counties in Montana?
Carbon County ranks #12 among all counties in Montana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Carbon County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Carbon County is $2,281, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Carbon County a tax score of 79.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Carbon County?
The median household income in Carbon County, Montana is $80,261 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Carbon County earns an income score of 81.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Carbon County, Montana a good place to live?
Carbon County scores 66.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Carbon County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Carbon County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.