Glacier County's composite score of 67.3 places it at the 35th percentile nationally, modestly above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks competitively but faces stiffier competition from higher-performing peers.
2 / 5
Below Montana's county average
With a 67.3 score, Glacier ranks below Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 56 counties. The county trails several neighboring rural alternatives.
3 / 5
Exceptional housing affordability
Glacier County boasts the lowest cost of living in this group, with a 91.6 cost score, a median home value of just $153,400, and rent at $553/month. The county also maintains reasonable taxes at 0.812%.
4 / 5
Health and income need attention
Health scores lag significantly at 47.4, and the median household income of just $45,129 is the lowest in this county set. Risk management also scores below average at 48.5, indicating economic vulnerability.
5 / 5
Best for budget minimalists
Glacier County appeals to those seeking the absolute lowest housing costs and willing to trade income potential for affordability. It suits self-sufficient individuals and families with fixed incomes seeking deep rural Montana isolation.
Glacier County's composite score of 67.3 places it at the 35th percentile nationally, modestly above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks competitively but faces stiffier competition from higher-performing peers.
Below Montana's county average
With a 67.3 score, Glacier ranks below Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 56 counties. The county trails several neighboring rural alternatives.
Exceptional housing affordability
Glacier County boasts the lowest cost of living in this group, with a 91.6 cost score, a median home value of just $153,400, and rent at $553/month. The county also maintains reasonable taxes at 0.812%.
Health and income need attention
Health scores lag significantly at 47.4, and the median household income of just $45,129 is the lowest in this county set. Risk management also scores below average at 48.5, indicating economic vulnerability.
Best for budget minimalists
Glacier County appeals to those seeking the absolute lowest housing costs and willing to trade income potential for affordability. It suits self-sufficient individuals and families with fixed incomes seeking deep rural Montana isolation.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Glacier County's effective rate of 0.812% exceeds the national median of 0.84% slightly, placing it in the middle range of U.S. counties. The $1,246 median property tax is still just 46% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower property values in this rural region.
Above-average for Montana rural counties
At 0.812% effective rate, Glacier ranks in the middle-to-upper tier of Montana's 56 counties, above the state average of 0.767%. Homeowners here pay about $556 more annually than the typical Montanan at median property values.
Highest among regional peers
Glacier's 0.812% tax rate tops nearby Garfield (0.656%) and Golden Valley (0.509%), making it the pricier option in this northwest corridor. Despite higher rates, the median home value of $153,400 keeps absolute tax bills moderate.
About $1,246 yearly on median home
A median Glacier County home valued at $153,400 results in an annual property tax of $1,246, or roughly $104 per month. Add approximately $170 more per year if you carry a mortgage and pay taxes in escrow.
Appeal inflated assessments to reduce bills
Overassessment is common even in lower-value counties—a property might be assessed above recent comparable sales. Glacier County property owners can file formal tax appeals to challenge valuations and potentially recover hundreds in overpaid taxes.
Glacier County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% sits comfortably below the national standard, but median household income of $45,129 trails the national average by $29,626. The low rent of $553 monthly is a bright spot for one of Montana's lower-income counties.
Montana's most affordable rentals
Glacier County boasts the lowest median rent in the state at $553 per month, well below Montana's $825 average. Its 14.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best statewide, making housing accessible despite lower wages.
The budget option in central Montana
Glacier's $553 rent significantly undercuts Garfield County's $802 and Judith Basin's $502, making it the most affordable for renters in its peer group. Owner costs of $468 monthly are similarly rock-bottom compared to neighboring counties.
Low costs can't fully offset low wages
While Glacier renters pay just $553 monthly and owners $468, the median household income of $45,129 means housing still consumes a meaningful share of already-tight budgets. The 14.7% ratio is good, but absolute dollars matter when income lags significantly.
Best rents in Montana, but plan carefully
Glacier County offers Montana's lowest housing costs—a real advantage if you earn remote income or have savings to relocate. Just verify your job prospects here, since local wages are among the state's lowest.
Glacier County's median household income of $45,129 lags the national median of $74,755 by nearly $30,000, placing it among the lower earners nationally. This 40% shortfall reflects the economic challenges facing rural northern Montana.
Lowest income in this Montana group
Glacier County ranks at the bottom of these eight surveyed Montana counties, with a median household income well below the state average of $62,295. Its per capita income of $22,605 is the lowest in the group, indicating limited wealth-building capacity for residents.
Struggling compared to regional peers
Glacier's $45,129 median income significantly lags all neighboring counties in this analysis, including Hill County ($55,313) and Golden Valley County ($57,353). The county faces economic headwinds that set it apart from slightly more prosperous nearby regions.
Rent burden is modest but income concerns remain
Glacier's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest, offering housing affordability—a bright spot in an otherwise tight budget. However, the median home value of $153,400 still represents 3.4 years of median household income, a challenging ratio for wealth accumulation.
Prioritize emergency savings and skill investment
With median income significantly below state and national averages, Glacier residents benefit from focusing on building 3–6 months of emergency reserves before pursuing investment vehicles. Investing in education and career development offers the highest return for boosting long-term earning potential.
Glacier County residents live to 66.9 years on average—12 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years and well below Montana's state average of 76.3 years. Nearly 1 in 3 residents (31.5%) report poor or fair health, more than half the national average of 21%.
Worst health outcomes in Montana
Glacier County ranks as the lowest-performing county in this eight-county Montana sample for life expectancy and health status. The 31.5% poor/fair health rate is by far the highest, and the 12.7% uninsured rate edges above Montana's 11.9% state average.
Significant health gap vs neighbors
At 66.9 years, Glacier County's life expectancy is nearly 13 years below Judith Basin County's 82.0 years and 9.4 years below Hill County's 72.9 years. The 31.5% poor/fair health rate is nearly double Garfield County's 17%, highlighting profound health disparities within the region.
Healthcare access exists but gaps remain
Glacier County has 80 primary care providers and 272 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—more mental health support than most peers. Yet 12.7% of residents lack health insurance, and the region's severe health outcomes suggest systemic barriers to care extend beyond provider availability.
Access coverage and preventive care
With over 1 in 3 residents in poor or fair health, securing insurance and regular checkups is critical in Glacier County. Explore Medicaid eligibility, marketplace plans, and federally qualified health centers at Healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
Glacier County's composite risk score of 51.49 exceeds the national average and puts it in the relatively low risk category. Your county experiences more natural hazard exposure than most American counties, driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake risk.
Higher risk than average for Montana
At 51.49, Glacier County's composite score significantly exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31. Your county ranks in the upper half of Montana counties for natural disaster risk.
Riskier than Hill and Golden Valley
Glacier's score of 51.49 is higher than neighboring Hill County (50.45) but lower than Lake County (67.65). You're in a moderate-risk zone compared to surrounding counties in northwestern Montana.
Wildfire and earthquakes drive risk
Wildfire risk (85.27) and earthquake risk (60.75) are your county's dominant hazards, together accounting for most of your composite score. Flood risk (45.48) adds additional vulnerability, while tornado risk (3.66) remains minimal.
Ensure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage
Your homeowner's insurance should cover both wildfire and earthquake damage, as these are your leading risks. Consult with an agent to confirm your policy addresses these perils and consider additional coverage for flood risk.