Hill County's composite score of 67.5 aligns closely with the national median of 50.0, placing it around the 35th percentile. The county matches average American livability but faces tougher competition from higher-performing regions.
2 / 5
Below Montana's typical county
With a 67.5 score, Hill ranks below Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 56 counties. The county lags several peers on overall livability metrics.
3 / 5
Affordable housing anchors the county
Hill County delivers solid cost affordability with an 83.5 score, median rent of $752/month, and a median home value of $187,600. Tax burden remains manageable at 1.080%, though higher than neighboring counties.
4 / 5
Health and economic resilience weaken profile
The health score of 63.7 indicates moderate health challenges, while the risk score of 49.6 suggests economic vulnerability. Income potential also lags at a median household income of $55,313.
5 / 5
Fits practical, budget-conscious people
Hill County suits individuals and families seeking straightforward, no-frills Montana living with modest housing costs. It appeals to those with stable employment elsewhere or fixed incomes willing to accept moderate amenities.
Hill County's composite score of 67.5 aligns closely with the national median of 50.0, placing it around the 35th percentile. The county matches average American livability but faces tougher competition from higher-performing regions.
Below Montana's typical county
With a 67.5 score, Hill ranks below Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 56 counties. The county lags several peers on overall livability metrics.
Affordable housing anchors the county
Hill County delivers solid cost affordability with an 83.5 score, median rent of $752/month, and a median home value of $187,600. Tax burden remains manageable at 1.080%, though higher than neighboring counties.
Health and economic resilience weaken profile
The health score of 63.7 indicates moderate health challenges, while the risk score of 49.6 suggests economic vulnerability. Income potential also lags at a median household income of $55,313.
Fits practical, budget-conscious people
Hill County suits individuals and families seeking straightforward, no-frills Montana living with modest housing costs. It appeals to those with stable employment elsewhere or fixed incomes willing to accept moderate amenities.
Score breakdown
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🏛71.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Hill County's effective rate of 1.080% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper quartile of U.S. counties. The median tax of $2,026 approaches the national median despite a lower median home value of $187,600.
Highest tax rate in Montana
Hill County leads all 56 Montana counties with a 1.080% effective rate—41% higher than the state average of 0.767%. Homeowners here pay roughly $224 more annually than typical Montanans on median-value properties.
Significantly above surrounding counties
Hill County's 1.080% rate towers over Glacier (0.812%) and Garfield (0.656%), making it the costliest option in north-central Montana. Only a handful of other states' counties match this tax burden.
About $2,026 yearly on median home
A median Hill County home valued at $187,600 generates annual property taxes of $2,026, or roughly $169 per month. Mortgaged properties incur an additional $217 in annual escrow taxes.
Appeal your assessment to reduce burden
With Montana's highest tax rate, even modest overassessments compound quickly for Hill County homeowners. If your property's assessed value exceeds comparable sales, filing a formal appeal could return hundreds of dollars to your pocket annually.
Hill County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% is the highest among these eight counties and well above the national standard, with median household income of $55,313 trailing the nation by $19,442. Residents here dedicate the most income to housing relative to their earnings.
Most strained affordability in this survey
At 16.3%, Hill County posts the highest rent-to-income ratio among these Montana counties, placing significant pressure on local budgets. The median rent of $752 pairs with below-state-average incomes, creating the crunch.
Neither cheap nor well-paying
Hill County's $752 rent sits between Glacier's $553 and Lake's $884, and at $187,600, median home values are modest compared to Granite's $339,500. Owner costs of $754 monthly are notably high relative to the county's modest income base.
Owner and renter costs nearly equal
Hill County renters pay $752 monthly while owners pay $754—nearly identical—on a median income of $55,313. This rare symmetry masks an uncomfortable truth: both paths to housing consume 16.3% of income.
High costs for a rural county
Hill County's 16.3% housing ratio is the highest in this group, suggesting your paycheck will stretch further almost anywhere else in rural Montana. Compare closely to Glacier or Judith Basin before committing.
Hill County's median household income of $55,313 falls $19,442 short of the $74,755 national median. The county earns approximately 74% of what U.S. households earn on average.
Lower income within Montana's county ranks
Hill County's $55,313 median household income trails Montana's state average of $62,295 by $6,982, placing it among the lower-earning counties in this analysis. Its per capita income of $29,497 is the second-lowest in the group.
Challenged economy compared to peers
Hill County's $55,313 median income ranks below most surveyed neighbors, beating only Glacier County ($45,129) by a narrow margin. The county significantly underperforms Garfield County ($61,750) and Jefferson County ($76,576).
Housing costs consume more of income here
At 16.3%, Hill County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this group, edging toward the affordability threshold. The median home value of $187,600 represents 3.4 years of median household income, a substantial burden for working families.
Build income security before investing
Hill County residents facing above-average housing burdens should prioritize stable employment and side-income opportunities before aggressive investing. Creating financial flexibility through emergency savings and employer benefits positions households to invest once income-to-housing ratios improve.
At 72.9 years, Hill County residents live 3.4 years below Montana's average and nearly 6 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 18.9% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 21%—the county faces a longevity challenge despite moderate self-reported health.
Third-lowest life expectancy statewide
Hill County's 72.9-year life expectancy ranks third-worst in this Montana sample, ahead only of Glacier County at 66.9 years. The 12.6% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average, and 18.9% report poor/fair health, placing it in the middle of the regional range.
Significant life expectancy gap
Hill County's 72.9-year life expectancy trails Judith Basin County by 9.1 years and Granite County by 7.1 years. However, its 406 mental health providers per 100,000 residents is by far the highest in the region, nearly doubling Hill County's peers.
Strong mental health, moderate primary care
Hill County has excellent mental health infrastructure with 406 providers per 100,000 residents—more than triple most neighbors—and 68 primary care providers per 100,000. Yet despite these resources, life expectancy lags, suggesting factors beyond provider availability may be limiting health outcomes.
Access mental health and primary care
Hill County's exceptional mental health provider network offers a real opportunity to improve population health, but only if residents are insured and accessing care. Check Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure coverage and connect with the county's robust mental health and primary care services.
Hill County's composite risk score of 50.45 sits above the national average, placing it in the relatively low risk category. Your county experiences more natural hazard exposure than typical American counties, driven by flood and wildfire risk.
Above-average risk for Montana
At 50.45, Hill County exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31 by about 50%. Your county ranks in the upper-middle tier of Montana counties for natural disaster risk.
Similar risk to Glacier County
Hill County's score of 50.45 nearly matches Glacier County (51.49), making them among the riskier counties in north-central Montana. Both face elevated flood and wildfire exposure compared to neighboring counties.
Flood and wildfire threaten county
Flood risk (43.42) and wildfire risk (62.79) are your county's dominant hazards. Tornado risk (8.33) is elevated for Montana, while earthquake risk (20.48) remains relatively modest.
Secure flood and wildfire coverage
Your homeowner's insurance must cover both wildfire and flood damage—standard policies often exclude flood, requiring separate coverage. Review your policy immediately and consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if you're in a flood zone.