CountyScore

Garfield County

Montana · MT

#5 in Montana
78.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Garfield County, Montana

Garfield scores well above U.S. median

With a composite score of 78.3, Garfield County ranks in the 57th percentile nationally—significantly ahead of the national median of 50.0. This county outperforms most American counties on overall livability metrics.

Above-average livability in Montana

Garfield ranks among Montana's stronger counties with a 78.3 score, well above the state average of 72.1. This positions the county in the upper tier of Montana's 56 counties.

Affordability and stability shine

Garfield excels in cost of living (85.0) with a median home value of $178,300 and rent at just $802/month. The county also stands out for risk management (97.6) and maintains a low tax burden at 0.656%.

Income growth remains limited

The income score of 23.7 reflects a median household income of $61,750—below what many peers earn. This represents the county's primary livability constraint, though it's offset by exceptionally low housing costs.

Ideal for cost-conscious retirees

Garfield County suits people and families prioritizing affordability and stability over high wages. It's particularly appealing to retirees or remote workers with independent income seeking small-town Montana living at minimal cost.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.8Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth75.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk97.6WaterComing Soon
🏛83.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.6
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 Garfield County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cheyenne County
Colorado
78.3
Median income: $67,768
Cameron Parish
Louisiana
78.3
Median income: $72,500
McPherson County
Nebraska
78.3
Median income: $61,316
Floyd County
Virginia
78.3
Median income: $61,401
Garfield County
Washington
78.3
Median income: $62,411

Deep Dives

Garfield County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Garfield County

via TaxByCounty

Garfield taxes well below national average

Garfield County's effective tax rate of 0.656% sits well beneath the national median of 0.84%, putting it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $1,169, less than half the national median of $2,690, making homeownership more affordable on the tax side.

Below-average taxes across Montana

Garfield ranks in the lower third of Montana's 56 counties for effective tax rate, paying 0.656% versus the state average of 0.767%. This 15% tax advantage translates to $633 less per year than the typical Montana homeowner pays.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Garfield's 0.656% rate edges out Golden Valley (0.509%) but sits above Judith Basin (0.453%), the region's tax bargains. Compared to Glacier County to the north at 0.812%, Garfield offers modest savings for similar rural properties.

About $1,169 annually on median home

The median Garfield County home valued at $178,300 generates an annual property tax of $1,169—or about $97 per month. This estimate assumes no mortgage; those with mortgages typically pay an additional $216 annually in escrow.

Check your assessment—appeal if overvalued

Many Montana homeowners pay taxes on properties assessed above market value. Garfield County allows formal appeals; if your home's assessment seems inflated, a challenge could lower your tax bill by hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Garfield County

via CostByCounty

Garfield stays below the national threshold

Garfield County residents spend 15.6% of their income on rent, edging below the national 15.9% benchmark that experts consider affordable. With a median household income of $61,750—about 17% below the national average of $74,755—locals are managing housing costs more efficiently than most Americans.

Better than average across Montana

Garfield's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% beats Montana's state average of 15.9%, placing it among the more affordable counties statewide. The median rent of $802 is just slightly below the state average of $825, suggesting balanced housing costs for rural Montana.

Competitive with rural Montana peers

Garfield's $802 monthly rent sits between Glacier County's lower $553 and Granite County's $734, offering a middle ground among sparsely populated counties. Homeownership costs $594 monthly, comparable to Glacier's $468 but notably cheaper than Granite's $608.

Rent and ownership split fairly evenly

Renters in Garfield dedicate $802 monthly to housing while owners pay $594, with median home values at $178,300. The county's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio means the typical household has room in their budget for other necessities.

A stable choice for rural Montana living

If you're weighing Montana counties, Garfield offers below-state-average affordability without the income demands of booming areas. Compare its $802 rent to neighbors and ask: can you build a life where housing doesn't squeeze your paycheck?

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garfield County

via IncomeByCounty

Garfield trails the nation on income

Garfield County's median household income of $61,750 falls short of the national median of $74,755, a gap of $13,005. This places the county below the national average, though it remains competitive within rural Montana.

Middle of the pack in Montana

Garfield ranks near the state average, with a median household income slightly below Montana's $62,295 state mean. The county's per capita income of $35,206 mirrors the state average of $35,700, reflecting typical earnings patterns for central Montana.

Outpacing nearby rural counties

Garfield's $61,750 median income beats Glacier County ($45,129) and Hill County ($55,313), positioning it as a stronger earner in the region. The county outperforms most neighbors while remaining below the prosperity of Jefferson County's $76,576.

Housing costs are manageable here

At 15.6%, Garfield's rent-to-income ratio stays well below the 30% affordability threshold, making housing accessible for most households. The median home value of $178,300 aligns reasonably with local incomes, though the income-to-home-value gap suggests homeownership requires significant saving.

Build savings while housing is affordable

Garfield's favorable rent-to-income ratio creates opportunity to redirect 15%+ of income toward retirement and investment accounts. With median incomes solid for the region, households here are well-positioned to benefit from early financial planning and diversified savings strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Garfield County

via HealthByCounty

Limited data on life expectancy locally

While national life expectancy stands at 78.9 years, Garfield County's specific figure isn't available in current datasets. However, 17% of residents report poor or fair health, which is better than the national average of 21%.

Health outcomes near state average

Garfield County's 17% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among the eight counties profiled, placing residents in better health relative to the Montana state average. The county's 11.7% uninsured rate sits just below Montana's 11.9% average, suggesting reasonable coverage levels.

Outperforms rural county peers

Garfield's 17% poor/fair health rate beats Golden Valley County's 20.4% and outpaces Glacier County's 31.5%, the worst in the region. Mental health services are moderately available at 83 per 100,000 residents, though specific primary care provider data isn't currently recorded.

Insurance coverage is solid

With 11.7% of Garfield County residents uninsured—essentially at the state average—most have healthcare access. Primary care provider data isn't available, but mental health support at 83 per 100,000 indicates a basic mental health infrastructure for the county.

Check coverage options today

Nearly 9 in 10 Garfield County residents have health insurance, but that remaining 11.7% shouldn't go without coverage. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garfield County

via RiskByCounty

Garfield ranks among safest counties

With a composite risk score of 2.48, Garfield County sits well below the national average and experiences very low overall natural disaster risk. Your county faces significantly less composite hazard exposure than most American counties, though wildfire remains a notable regional concern.

One of Montana's lowest-risk counties

Garfield County's composite score of 2.48 ranks it among the safest in Montana, where the state average is 33.31. This places your county in the bottom quartile for natural disaster risk across the state.

Safer than Golden Valley and Granite

Garfield's risk score of 2.48 is lower than neighboring Golden Valley (0.99) and Granite (9.38), making it among the most protected areas in central Montana. Your county enjoys greater resilience than most surrounding counties in the region.

Wildfire dominates your risk profile

Wildfire risk at 78.34 is your primary natural hazard, reflecting Montana's dry landscape and fire season intensity. Flood (5.38), earthquake (6.42), and tornado (4.23) risks remain minimal by comparison.

Prioritize wildfire coverage today

Review your homeowner's insurance to ensure wildfire damage is covered, as this is your county's dominant risk. Consider a hazard mitigation assessment and defensible space around your property to reduce exposure.

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.