Chouteau County

Montana · MT

#23 in Montana
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Chouteau County, Montana

Strong livability edge on national scale

Chouteau's 73.5 score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 47%, marking it as a highly livable American county. It also tops Montana's state average of 72.1, signaling genuine regional competitiveness.

Solid performer among Montana counties

Chouteau ranks above the state average, placing it among Montana's better-positioned counties. It's a dependable choice with competitive fundamentals statewide.

Unbeatable housing affordability and low taxes

Chouteau offers the lowest median rent ($485/month) across this entire cohort and the second-best affordability score (90.8), alongside a strong tax burden of 0.781% (80.3 score). These fundamentals make it exceptionally accessible for cost-conscious families.

Income and health lag behind affordability gains

Income scores (20.6) and median household income of $56,927 are among the lowest in this group, while health outcomes (65.6) are merely adequate. The county's affordability advantage can't offset limited local earning potential.

Best for budget families prioritizing housing

Chouteau suits families and retirees making their primary decision based on housing costs, with minimal dependence on local wages. It's ideal for remote workers, pension recipients, or those with side income seeking maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax80.3Cost90.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.6Risk60.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠90.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
60.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Chouteau County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Chouteau County

via TaxByCounty

Chouteau taxes near national average

At 0.781%, Chouteau's effective tax rate sits slightly below the national median of roughly 0.87%, placing the county in the middle range nationally. The median tax bill of $1,446 runs 46% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting a lower median home value of $185,100.

Just above Montana's state average

Chouteau's 0.781% effective rate edges out Montana's state average of 0.767% by less than 2%, making it nearly typical for the state. The median tax bill of $1,446 trails the state median of $1,802 by $356, primarily due to below-average home values.

Chouteau offers moderate tax burden

Chouteau's 0.781% rate sits comfortably between Big Horn (1.000%) and Blaine (1.522%) to the south, and below Cascade (0.919%) in central Montana. The median home value of $185,100 is roughly midrange for the region, resulting in balanced tax expectations.

Annual tax bill on median home

A median-priced home valued at $185,100 in Chouteau County carries an annual tax bill of approximately $1,446. With a mortgage, expect about $1,487; without one, roughly $1,422 annually.

Standard assessment review still worthwhile

Even counties with moderate tax rates see assessment errors regularly—Chouteau is no exception. Review your property's assessed value against recent neighborhood sales; a successful appeal saves hundreds over years of ownership.

Cost of Living in Chouteau County

via CostByCounty

Chouteau County offers exceptional housing value

Chouteau County's 10.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, as renters earning $56,927 pay just $485/month for housing. This exceptional affordability reflects genuinely low rents paired with moderate local incomes.

Chouteau leads Montana by significant margin

At 10.2%, Chouteau's rent-to-income ratio crushes Montana's state average of 15.9%, making it the state's clear affordability champion. The county's $485 median rent is the lowest in the entire eight-county comparison.

Chouteau rents unbeatable in region

Chouteau's $485 median rent is nearly $200/month below Big Horn ($686) and Blaine ($689), and substantially undercuts every other county in this comparison. Monthly homeowner costs of $608 similarly rank among the lowest, with median home values of $185,100 offering genuine accessibility.

Housing barely dents Chouteau budgets

A Chouteau County renter earning $56,927 spends roughly $485/month on housing—just 10.2% of gross income, leaving substantial room for savings and other needs. Homeowners enjoy even more relief: at $608/month, ownership costs claim only 12.8% of median household income.

Chouteau County: Montana's affordability treasure

If housing costs are your primary concern, Chouteau County delivers unmatched value in Montana with a 10.2% rent-to-income ratio. Compare its exceptional affordability against any peer—Big Horn (14.5%), Blaine (12.7%), or Broadwater (18.4%)—to appreciate the county's genuine advantage.

Income & Jobs in Chouteau County

via IncomeByCounty

Chouteau County falls short of national median

Chouteau County's median household income of $56,927 sits about 24% below the U.S. median of $74,755. Like most northern Montana rural counties, it reflects broader challenges in agriculture-dependent economies.

Slightly below Montana's state average

Chouteau's $56,927 median household income runs about 9% below Montana's state average of $62,295. The county occupies the lower-middle tier of Montana's earnings distribution.

Chouteau mirrors rural northern Montana

Chouteau's $56,927 median income closely resembles Big Horn County ($56,680) and Beaverhead County ($58,072), but lags Blaine ($65,050) and Cascade ($66,203). Northern Montana shows greater income variation than the south.

Montana's most affordable living costs

Chouteau boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 10.2%, offering exceptional affordability for renters. Median home values of $185,100 represent just 3.3 years of household income, making homeownership highly accessible.

Chouteau's ultra-low cost advantage

With minimal housing burden—only 10.2% of income on rent—Chouteau households can redirect savings toward retirement accounts and investments. This rare affordability advantage should be seized for long-term wealth building before economic pressures rise.

Health in Chouteau County

via HealthByCounty

Chouteau lags the U.S. average

Chouteau County's 75.9-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. At 17.9% reporting poor or fair health, the rate is just under the national 18% average.

Slightly below Montana baseline

Chouteau's 75.9-year life expectancy trails Montana's state average of 76.3 years by 0.4 years. The county performs near the state median.

Lower-tier regional health outcomes

Chouteau's 75.9-year life expectancy ranks below top performers Carbon (80.4) and Broadwater (80.3), but above struggling Big Horn (64.6). Its 17.9% poor/fair health rate is the second-worst in the region.

Mental health access, primary care gaps

Chouteau has 120 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—decent regional support—but primary care provider data is unavailable. At 14.0% uninsured, the rate is the highest among all counties studied.

Close Chouteau's coverage gap

Chouteau's 14.0% uninsured rate means 1 in 7 residents lack coverage—the state's worst. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, subsidized plans, or community health center options.

Disaster Risk in Chouteau County

via RiskByCounty

Chouteau's risk moderately exceeds the national baseline

Chouteau County scores 39.47 on the composite risk index, placing it in the Very Low category but above the national average. The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire exposure (72.58) and moderate flood risk (50.38), while earthquake and tornado hazards remain comparatively low.

Below-average risk profile for Montana

Chouteau County ranks in the lower half of Montana's 56 counties with a composite score of 39.47, slightly above the state average of 33.31. The county's Very Low overall risk rating reflects below-average exposure to earthquakes and tornadoes compared to the state.

Similar risk profile to nearby counties

Chouteau's composite score (39.47) falls between neighboring Blaine (45.87) and Broadwater (17.68), with wildfire risk (72.58) comparable to Blaine (69.85). Flood risk (50.38) is higher than Broadwater (19.08) but lower than Big Horn (55.12), reflecting moderate exposure to precipitation and snowmelt.

Wildfire and flood risks merit preparation

Chouteau County residents face meaningful wildfire risk (72.58) and moderate flood risk (50.38), making these the primary focus of emergency planning. Earthquake risk (27.07) and tornado risk (11.86) are both well below state and national averages, simplifying your insurance considerations.

Add wildfire coverage to your policy

Chouteau's wildfire and flood exposure means standard homeowners insurance alone is insufficient; add wildfire coverage and verify flood insurance adequacy. Maintain defensible space around your home and stay informed about seasonal fire danger and flood warnings to protect your family and property.

ByCounty Network

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