CountyScore

Daniels County

Montana · MT

#7 in Montana
77.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Daniels County, Montana

Top-tier livability nationwide

Daniels County's score of 77.5 towers 55% above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the highest tier of American counties. This exceptional standing reflects strong fundamentals across multiple livability dimensions.

Second best in Montana

Daniels ranks second among the eight profiled Montana counties, with only one county scoring higher. At 77.5, it substantially exceeds the state average of 72.1.

Rock-bottom costs and stellar safety

Daniels shines with the lowest housing costs among profiled counties—median rent of just $588/month and median home value of $177,800, earning a cost score of 86.5. Its outstanding risk score of 98.2 signals exceptional safety and stability.

Income opportunities remain limited

The income score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of $58,000, among the lowest in the state. While affordability compensates for modest wages, earning potential is the clear area for improvement.

Rural haven for cost-conscious seekers

Daniels County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing ultra-low living costs and a safe, stable community. If you can earn income elsewhere (remote work, pensions), Daniels offers unbeatable affordability and security.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth76.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk98.2WaterComing Soon
🏛78
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.2
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 Daniels County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

LaSalle Parish
Louisiana
77.5
Median income: $67,077
Butte County
Idaho
77.6
Median income: $43,281
Lake of the Woods County
Minnesota
77.4
Median income: $70,091
Fallon County
Montana
77.4
Median income: $72,284
LaMoure County
North Dakota
77.4
Median income: $70,263

Deep Dives

Daniels County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Daniels County

via TaxByCounty

Daniels County taxes stay moderate nationally

With an effective tax rate of 0.862%, Daniels County runs just slightly above the U.S. median of 0.84%, landing it squarely at the 55th percentile nationwide. The median annual tax of $1,533 is notably lower than the national figure of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $177,800.

Middling rates within Montana

Daniels County's 0.862% effective tax rate sits modestly above Montana's state average of 0.767%, placing it in the middle range among the state's 56 counties. At $1,533 annually, the county's median property tax runs just 15% higher than the statewide median of $1,802.

Daniels rates compare favorably in the east

Daniels County's 0.862% rate falls below its neighbor Custer (1.098%) but exceeds Fergus (0.843%) and Fallon (0.573%) in northeastern Montana. The county occupies a reasonable middle ground in its regional tax landscape.

Typical Daniels County annual tax bill

A median-valued home worth $177,800 generates an annual property tax of roughly $1,533 in Daniels County. Homeowners with mortgages typically see this rise to $1,884 when additional assessments apply.

Check if your home is fairly assessed

Even in moderate-tax counties like Daniels, incorrect assessments happen and cost homeowners money unnecessarily. A quick review with the county assessor or an appeal could confirm whether your property's taxable value matches current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Daniels County

via CostByCounty

Daniels: Montana's Affordability Outlier

Daniels County delivers rare affordability, with renters spending just 12.2% of income on housing—well below the national and state averages. Median household income of $58,000 and rent of only $588 monthly create one of Montana's most livable housing markets relative to earnings. This county punches above its weight for families and remote workers seeking low cost-of-living stability.

Daniels Leads Montana in Affordability

At 12.2%, Daniels County's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest we see in this Montana sample, well below the 15.9% state average. Renters here enjoy monthly costs of just $588—$237 cheaper than Montana's median—making it an exceptional value in a state increasingly pressured by tourism and growth. Daniels represents the Montana frontier where wages and housing have maintained balance.

Daniels Stands Apart as Affordability Leader

Daniels County's $588 rent is dramatically cheaper than neighboring Custer ($918) and even beats Fallon County ($772) by $184 monthly. Median home values of $177,800 mark Daniels as one of Montana's most affordable for ownership, significantly cheaper than any western county in this sample. For budget-conscious migrants, Daniels County offers unmatched value in the state.

Daniels Housing Costs: The Math Works

With median income of $58,000 annually, Daniels renters paying $588 monthly (12.2% of income) leave ample room for other expenses. Homeowners pay $758 monthly on average, also remarkably affordable relative to local wages, making both rental and ownership accessible here. This county demonstrates what housing affordability looks like when supply and demand remain balanced.

Daniels: The Affordable Montana Choice

If you're relocating to Montana for lower costs, Daniels County is your answer, with the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio and home values under $180,000. The trade-off is isolation: Daniels is remote, with limited job diversity and long drives to major services. But for retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing financial breathing room, Daniels delivers unmatched affordability in Big Sky Country.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Daniels County

via IncomeByCounty

Daniels income lags U.S. average

Daniels County's median household income of $58,000 trails the national median by $16,755. This reflects economic challenges common to many rural northeastern Montana communities.

Among Montana's lower earners

Daniels ranks below the state average of $62,295, placing it among the lower-income counties in Montana. The county's $58,000 median indicates a workforce concentrated in agriculture, ranching, and small-scale industries.

Daniels underperforms the region

Daniels County's $58,000 median lags neighboring Custer ($63,585) and significantly trails Fallon County ($72,284). The county faces steeper income challenges than most peers in the northeastern region.

Strong affordability, limited income

Daniels shines on affordability with a 12.2% rent-to-income ratio—one of Montana's best. At a median home value of $177,800, housing is genuinely accessible, though lower absolute incomes limit household savings capacity.

Stretch every dollar earned

While $58,000 is tight, Daniels's low housing costs free up more cash for financial goals than higher-income counties face. Maximize any employer retirement benefits and consider side income or skill development to boost earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Daniels County

via HealthByCounty

Daniels health data tells partial story

While Daniels County's poor/fair health rate of 15.7% aligns closely with national levels, life expectancy data remains unavailable, limiting our full picture of resident outcomes. The uninsured rate of 12.2% runs slightly above the U.S. average, suggesting modest insurance gaps in this small county.

Small county, limited health reporting

Daniels County's uninsured rate of 12.2% edges above Montana's state average of 11.9%, indicating slightly higher coverage challenges in this sparsely populated area. Life expectancy data is not available, typical for Montana's smallest counties where statistical reporting faces population thresholds.

Mental health access, primary care unknown

Daniels County reports 61 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, lower than many Montana neighbors, suggesting potential barriers to behavioral health care. Primary care provider data remains unavailable, reflecting the data limitations common in Montana's most rural counties.

Coverage gaps in a small county

One in eight Daniels County residents (12.2%) lack health insurance, slightly above state average, putting them at risk for delayed or avoided care. Primary care access data is limited, but residents may need to travel to neighboring counties for specialized services.

Take action on health coverage now

If you're uninsured in Daniels County, Healthcare.gov and Montana's state marketplace offer plans year-round for qualifying life changes. Local health departments and community clinics can help you understand coverage options and enrollment assistance available in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Daniels County

via RiskByCounty

Daniels Ranks Among Safest Nationwide

Daniels County's composite risk score of 1.81 places it in the nation's safest tier for natural disaster exposure. Your "Very Low" rating reflects exceptionally minimal hazard concentration across flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other major threats.

Montana's Safest County

With a score of 1.81, Daniels is the safest county in Montana, dramatically outperforming the state average of 33.31. This makes Daniels a statistical outlier even within Montana's relatively moderate risk profile.

Dramatically Safer Than Regional Peers

Daniels County (1.81) faces a fraction of the risk carried by Custer County (42.14), Fergus County (45.10), and especially Flathead County (86.45). Your eastern plains location shields you from the fire and seismic hazards that threaten Montana's western and central regions.

Wildfire Is Your Only Concern

Even Daniels County's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 37.82—remains well below the state average. Floods (2.99), tornadoes (7.92), and earthquakes (3.31) pose minimal risk, making your county exceptionally well-positioned.

Standard Homeowners Insurance Suffices

While your risk profile is excellent, standard homeowners insurance remains essential for general property protection. Basic coverage should adequately protect your investment in Daniels County.

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.