CountyScore

Custer County

Montana · MT

#43 in Montana
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Custer County, Montana

Well above the national average

Custer County's composite score of 68.5 outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This means residents enjoy livability conditions better than roughly 70% of counties nationwide.

Middle of the Montana pack

Custer ranks fourth among Montana's eight profiled counties with a score of 68.5, slightly below the state average of 72.1. The county sits solidly in the middle tier of Montana livability.

Affordable housing and low taxes

Custer excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 78.7 and median home values of $204,200. The county also maintains a favorable tax burden with an effective rate of just 1.098% and a tax score of 71.4.

Income growth lags behind peers

The income score of 24.9 is Custer's weakest dimension, with a median household income of $63,585 trailing several comparable Montana counties. The risk score of 57.9 also suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental pressures.

Best for budget-conscious families

Custer County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over high wages. It offers a solid, middle-ground livability profile—accessible costs and reasonable taxes, but with limited income-earning opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.4Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.9Risk57.9WaterComing Soon
🏛71.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Custer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Custer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Custer County

via TaxByCounty

Custer's taxes run higher than the nation

At 1.098%, Custer County's effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationwide. Homeowners here pay $2,242 annually compared to the U.S. median of $2,690, but that's because homes are valued lower—$204,200 versus the national $281,900.

Among the steepest in Montana

Custer County ranks in the upper tier of Montana's 56 counties for effective tax rate at 1.098%, well above the state average of 0.767%. The county's median property tax of $2,242 also outpaces the statewide median of $1,802 by 24%.

Custer County taxes compared regionally

Custer's 1.098% rate exceeds similar eastern Montana counties like Fergus (0.843%) and Fallon (0.573%). Only Dawson County in the region approaches Custer's burden, at 1.173%, making both outliers in their neighborhood.

What a typical Custer home costs to own

A median-valued home of $204,200 carries an annual property tax bill of approximately $2,242 in Custer County. With mortgage-related assessments factored in, that figure rises to $2,352 for financed properties.

You may be paying too much in taxes

Property assessments aren't always accurate, and many homeowners in high-tax counties like Custer carry overvalued properties on the rolls. If your home's assessed value seems inflated, filing a formal appeal with the county assessor's office could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Custer County

via CostByCounty

Custer: Above National Affordability Strain

Custer County renters spend 17.3% of income on rent, outpacing the national average and signaling tighter affordability than most U.S. counties. Median household income here is $63,585—about 15% below the national median of $74,755—while rents average $918 monthly. This income-to-housing ratio places Custer in the less affordable tier nationally, despite Montana's rural character.

Custer Ranks Middle of Montana Pack

At 17.3%, Custer's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Montana's state average of 15.9%, putting it among the less affordable counties statewide. Rents here run higher than the state median of $825, though median home values of $204,200 remain modest compared to mountain resort areas. Custer sits in the affordability middle ground for Montana—less pressured than western counties, more expensive than prairie neighbors.

Custer vs. Eastern Montana Peers

Custer's $918 monthly rent exceeds nearby Dawson County ($823) and Fallon County ($772), making it the pricier rental market in this eastern Montana cluster. However, Custer's median home value of $204,200 sits slightly below Dawson's $187,400 but well below Flathead's $467,700 to the west. For renters, Custer demands a noticeably larger share of paychecks than its immediate neighbors.

Where Housing Dollars Go in Custer

Renters in Custer spend $918 monthly while homeowners pay $860, a rare scenario where rent slightly exceeds mortgage costs. With median household income at $63,585 annually ($5,298 monthly), housing consumes 17.3% of renter income—above the widely recommended 15% threshold. The tight margins leave limited budget room for other essentials in this county.

Weighing Custer for Your Next Chapter

If affordability is your priority, Custer County offers lower costs than Montana's booming western counties, with homes averaging $204,200 and moderate monthly payments. Renters, however, should compare Custer's 17.3% rent burden to nearby Daniels (12.2%) or Dawson (13.9%), where housing leaves more room in monthly budgets. The county's energy-linked economy and rural lifestyle appeal to those seeking stability over rapid growth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Custer County

via IncomeByCounty

Custer trails national income mark

Custer County's median household income of $63,585 falls about $11,170 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This puts the county in the lower-middle tier nationally, though it still earns slightly above Montana's state average of $62,295.

Middle of the Montana pack

Custer ranks roughly in the middle range among Montana's 56 counties for household income. The county's $63,585 median is just $1,290 above the state average, reflecting the broader income patterns across rural Montana.

Better off than nearby Fergus

Custer's $63,585 median household income edges out neighboring Fergus County ($59,731) but lags behind Dawson County ($70,953). Among this regional cluster, Custer occupies a solid middle position for earning power.

Rent eats 17% of income here

At a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio, Custer County sits at a reasonable affordability threshold—well below the federal warning sign of 30%. With a median home value of $204,200, homeownership remains within reach for many middle-income households.

Build your financial foundation

Custer residents earning the median $63,585 have meaningful room to save and invest after covering housing costs. Start with an emergency fund, then explore retirement accounts and diversified investments to grow wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Custer County

via HealthByCounty

Custer's life expectancy tracks national trends

At 76.2 years, Custer County residents live slightly shorter lives than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in six residents (15.6%) report being in poor or fair health, close to national averages, suggesting manageable chronic disease burden for a rural county.

Just below Montana's health middle

Custer County's life expectancy of 76.2 years falls 0.1 years below Montana's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the middle tier of Montana counties. The county's uninsured rate of 11.7% is virtually aligned with the state average of 11.9%, indicating stable insurance coverage.

Primary care access outpaces region

Custer County offers 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a solid supply for rural Montana. Its mental health provider density of 401 per 100,000 exceeds most neighboring counties, providing residents with robust behavioral health resources.

Healthcare access reality on the ground

With 11.7% of residents uninsured, roughly 1 in 8 Custer County adults lack health coverage, creating barriers to preventive care and routine treatment. The county's 67 primary care providers per 100,000 means shorter waits and better continuity of care compared to more remote Montana counties.

Explore your coverage options today

If you're among the 11.7% of Custer County residents without health insurance, enrollment periods and subsidies may make coverage affordable. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to review plans tailored to your health needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Custer County

via RiskByCounty

Custer's Risk Sits Above National Average

With a composite risk score of 42.14, Custer County faces higher-than-average natural disaster risk compared to the national baseline. Your county's "Very Low" rating reflects Montana's generally moderate hazard profile, though wildfire emerges as a notable concern at 85.37—well above typical levels.

Middle of the Pack in Montana

Custer ranks around the middle for risk among Montana's 56 counties, with a score of 42.14 versus the state average of 33.31. This positions you in a moderate risk band—safer than western Montana counties but facing real hazard exposure.

Higher Risk Than Eastern Neighbors

Custer's composite score of 42.14 significantly exceeds nearby Fallon County (5.41) and Daniels County (1.81), but remains well below Flathead County (86.45) to the northwest. Your wildfire risk of 85.37 is the primary driver of this gap with eastern plains counties.

Wildfire and Flood Drive Your Risk

Wildfire dominates Custer County's hazard profile at 85.37, making it your most pressing natural disaster threat. Flood risk (38.30) ranks as your secondary concern, while tornadoes (16.16) and earthquakes (31.39) pose lower but measurable dangers.

Prioritize Wildfire and Flood Coverage

Homeowners in Custer County should ensure comprehensive fire insurance and confirm flood coverage, especially in low-lying areas. Given your wildfire score of 85.37, defensible space maintenance and fire-resistant landscaping are critical investments beyond insurance.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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