CountyScore

Gallatin County

Montana · MT

#53 in Montana
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Gallatin County, Montana

Better than most U.S. counties

Gallatin County's score of 64.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 30%, positioning it in the 61st percentile nationwide. It delivers above-average livability despite notable cost pressures.

Montana's most expensive county

Gallatin ranks eighth and last among the eight profiled Montana counties with a score of 64.8, below the state average of 72.1. Housing costs pull down its otherwise solid fundamentals.

Highest incomes and excellent health

Gallatin leads all profiled counties in median household income at $87,454, with an income score of 40.5. It also boasts the best health score at 80.9, indicating strong public health outcomes.

Unaffordable housing and economic risk

Gallatin's cost score of 54.9 is the worst in the group, with median home values of $604,900 and median rent of $1,574/month—well above state peers. Its risk score of 19.0 suggests significant economic vulnerability.

For high earners prioritizing amenities

Gallatin County is ideal for young professionals, entrepreneurs, and affluent families drawn to vibrant communities and excellent health services. It demands substantial income to offset premium housing costs, but rewards with economic opportunity and quality of life.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost54.9SafetyComing SoonHealth80.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.5Risk19WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19
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 Gallatin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Harper County
Kansas
64.8
Median income: $55,417
Yellowstone County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $74,400

Deep Dives

Gallatin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gallatin County

via TaxByCounty

Gallatin's lowest rate with highest values

Gallatin County's effective tax rate of 0.599% ranks in the 15th percentile nationally, among America's most tax-friendly counties. With a median home value of $604,900—more than double the national median of $281,900—the annual tax of $3,625 reflects remarkable tax efficiency on high-value properties.

Montana's lowest property tax rate

Gallatin County has Montana's lowest effective tax rate at 0.599%, 22% below the state average of 0.767%. Despite this advantage, the median property tax of $3,625 is the highest in the state, driven by the county's exceptionally high median home value of $604,900.

Gallatin leads western Montana in tax relief

Gallatin County's 0.599% rate edges out even Flathead (0.613%), making it the most tax-efficient county in western Montana. The rate far outpaces all eastern and central Montana counties, including Custer (1.098%), Dawson (1.173%), and Fergus (0.843%).

Annual taxes on a Gallatin County property

A median-valued home of $604,900 results in an annual property tax of approximately $3,625 in Gallatin County. Homeowners with mortgages pay roughly $3,641, while those with outright ownership pay closer to $3,593.

Protect your low-rate advantage through appeals

Even in the state's lowest-tax county, overassessment happens and can strip away Gallatin's competitive advantage. Periodic assessment reviews and swift appeals when values drift above fair market ensure your family maximizes savings in this tax-efficient county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gallatin County

via CostByCounty

Gallatin: Montana's Most Expensive Housing Market

Gallatin County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% is the highest in this Montana sample, driven by median home values of $604,900 and rents averaging $1,574 monthly. Median household income of $87,454—the highest in this sample—still falls short of housing cost growth, reflecting Gallatin's status as Montana's premier destination for wealth and tourism. Even well-earning households here devote over one-fifth of income to housing, a stressful ratio nationwide.

Gallatin: Montana's Housing Affordability Crisis

At 21.6%, Gallatin County's rent-to-income ratio is a staggering 5.7 percentage points above Montana's state average, marking the state's most constrained housing market. Median home values of $604,900 are nearly three times the state's eastern county average, driven by Bozeman's growth as a tech hub and resort destination. Gallatin exemplifies how rapid migration and investment have decoupled housing from local income.

Gallatin Dominates as Montana's Priciest Market

Gallatin's $1,574 monthly rent eclipses Flathead County's $1,094 and every other county in this sample, while home values of $604,900 top even Flathead's $467,700. Despite Gallatin's higher median income ($87,454 vs. Flathead's $71,327), its rent-to-income ratio (21.6% vs. 18.4%) signals even tighter affordability. Gallatin represents the extreme end of Montana's housing pressure spectrum.

Gallatin: Extreme Affordability Squeeze

Renters in Gallatin earning $87,454 annually ($7,288 monthly) spend $1,574 on rent—21.6% of income, nearly 45% above the 15% affordability benchmark. Homeowners paying $1,610 monthly face 22.1% of median income devoted to housing costs—an unsustainable burden that locks out single-income households and forces out long-term locals. Gallatin's housing market is fundamentally misaligned with local earning capacity.

Gallatin: Only for Outside-Income Relocators

Gallatin County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio makes it unsuitable for families relying solely on local employment; remote workers and retirees with outside income are the only practical residents. Home values exceeding $600,000 demand significant down payments and mortgage capacity beyond what local wages support, ensuring housing remains a top household expense. If you're relocating to Gallatin, financial self-sufficiency is non-negotiable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gallatin County

via IncomeByCounty

Gallatin leads the nation's middle class

Gallatin County's median household income of $87,454 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $12,699, placing it well above the national average. This ranks Gallatin among the strongest-earning counties in rural America.

Montana's highest-earning county

Gallatin's $87,454 income sits $25,159 above the state average of $62,295, making it Montana's undisputed economic leader. The county's per capita income of $51,148 also leads the state by a wide margin.

Gallatin dominates regional earnings

Gallatin's $87,454 substantially outpaces all nearby counties—Flathead ($71,327), Fallon ($72,284), and all others. The county stands alone as Montana's premier economic center.

Income struggles with housing inflation

Despite the highest income in Montana, Gallatin's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio and $604,900 median home value signal acute housing pressure. Strong earners face significant affordability challenges in this booming, supply-constrained market.

Build sophisticated wealth strategies

Gallatin's $87,454 income provides exceptional capacity for wealth-building despite housing costs. Residents should maximize retirement contributions, explore real estate investment, and pursue diversified portfolios to compound long-term financial success.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gallatin County

via HealthByCounty

Gallatin dominates national health rankings

At 82.0 years, Gallatin County residents live 5.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—extraordinary longevity that rivals the world's healthiest regions. Just 12.7% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate among these eight counties, reflecting remarkable health vitality.

Montana's health miracle

Gallatin County's life expectancy of 82.0 years runs 5.7 years above Montana's state average of 76.3 years, a stunning gap that sets it apart from all other Montana counties. The uninsured rate of 8.0% is the lowest in the state group, indicating nearly universal coverage.

Strong provider infrastructure, high income

Gallatin County offers 78 primary care providers and 477 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, solid densities supporting accessible care. The county's exceptional health outcomes likely reflect not just providers but also higher education levels, median income, and strong community resources.

Coverage gap almost vanishes

Only 8.0% of Gallatin County residents lack health insurance—the best coverage rate among these eight counties—and combined with 78 primary care providers per 100,000, this creates near-universal care access. This alignment between insurance, provider supply, and wealth strongly predicts the county's exceptional 82-year life expectancy.

Complete Gallatin's coverage success

If you're among the 8.0% of Gallatin County residents without health insurance, affordable plans are available through Healthcare.gov and Montana's marketplace. Enrollment closes your final gap to the comprehensive care that enables Gallatin's remarkable 82-year life expectancy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gallatin County

via RiskByCounty

Gallatin's Risk Among Nation's Highest

Gallatin County's composite risk score of 80.98 places it well above the national average, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. Your county faces significant natural disaster exposure from earthquakes and wildfires.

Second-Riskiest County in Montana

At 80.98, Gallatin ranks as Montana's second-highest-risk county after Flathead (86.45), far exceeding the state average of 33.31. Your county concentrates substantial natural disaster hazards across multiple threat types.

Significantly Elevated Regional Risk

Gallatin County (80.98) approaches Flathead's extreme exposure (86.45) while vastly exceeding central and eastern counties like Fergus (45.10) and Dawson (63.80). Your southwestern mountain location amplifies earthquake and wildfire risks.

Earthquakes and Wildfire Dominate

Earthquake risk at 94.15 and wildfire at 91.38 are nearly identical as Gallatin's top threats, both exceeding 90. Flood risk (64.25) presents a significant secondary hazard, while tornadoes (16.67) pose minimal danger.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

Gallatin County residents must secure earthquake, wildfire, and flood insurance as core protections, not optional add-ons. Your county's exceptional risk profile demands comprehensive coverage to safeguard your home and financial security.

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.