Liberty County scores 72.2 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 by over 22 points. This upper-quartile performance places it among the more livable counties nationwide.
2 / 5
Matches Montana's overall average
With a score of 72.2, Liberty County aligns almost exactly with Montana's state average of 72.1, making it representative of typical livability standards across the state. It ranks solidly in the middle of Montana's county distribution.
3 / 5
Affordability is the star attraction
Liberty County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.6—among the highest in the dataset. Median gross rent is just $668 per month and median home value is $116,800, making it ideal for budget-conscious homebuyers and renters.
4 / 5
Income and health need support
The county faces substantial income challenges, with a score of only 18.2 and median household income of $53,264—the lowest in this group. Health outcomes also lag at 64.1, suggesting limited medical resources or health infrastructure relative to stronger counties.
5 / 5
Perfect for affordable rural living
Liberty County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and those seeking minimal housing costs in a rural Montana setting. Its exceptional affordability outweighs lower income levels, making it ideal for those prioritizing low cost of living over earning potential.
Liberty County scores 72.2 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 by over 22 points. This upper-quartile performance places it among the more livable counties nationwide.
Matches Montana's overall average
With a score of 72.2, Liberty County aligns almost exactly with Montana's state average of 72.1, making it representative of typical livability standards across the state. It ranks solidly in the middle of Montana's county distribution.
Affordability is the star attraction
Liberty County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.6—among the highest in the dataset. Median gross rent is just $668 per month and median home value is $116,800, making it ideal for budget-conscious homebuyers and renters.
Income and health need support
The county faces substantial income challenges, with a score of only 18.2 and median household income of $53,264—the lowest in this group. Health outcomes also lag at 64.1, suggesting limited medical resources or health infrastructure relative to stronger counties.
Perfect for affordable rural living
Liberty County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and those seeking minimal housing costs in a rural Montana setting. Its exceptional affordability outweighs lower income levels, making it ideal for those prioritizing low cost of living over earning potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.031%, Liberty County has the highest effective property tax rate in Montana—nearly 45% above the national median of 0.71%. Despite affordable homes ($116,800 median), the county's steep rate keeps tax bills competitive with national averages.
Second-highest rate statewide
Only Missoula County (0.906%) comes close to Liberty's 1.031% effective rate, crushing the state average of 0.767%. Liberty's rate is 35% steeper than the typical Montana county.
Lowest homes, highest rates
Liberty's median home value of $116,800 is the lowest in its region—McCone County sits at $197,400, Lincoln at $258,700—yet Liberty's 1.031% tax rate far exceeds them all. Residents pay $1,204 annually despite owning the cheapest property nearby.
Your $1,204 annual tax bill
A typical Liberty County home valued at $116,800 triggers an annual property tax of $1,204—or $100 per month. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $1,875; without, it drops to $927.
Challenge your assessment today
With Montana's highest property tax rate, even small assessment errors add up quickly in Liberty County. Homeowners can appeal valuations for free if comparable home sales suggest overvaluation—a straightforward process that often saves hundreds annually.
Liberty County renters spend just 15.1% of household income on housing, slightly below the national standard and nearly identical to the Montana state average of 15.9%. At $668 per month, median rent is 19% below the state average, making this northeastern county genuinely affordable for renting households.
Middle-of-pack affordability for Montana
Liberty County ranks squarely at the state median for rental affordability, with its 15.1% rent-to-income ratio placing it very close to Montana's 15.9% average. This consistency masks a critical factor: local median household income of $53,264 is substantially below the state norm, suggesting limited wage opportunities.
Cheapest rents in this corner of Montana
Liberty County's $668 rent is the lowest among these eight surveyed counties and significantly undercuts neighbors McCone County ($543 for ownership but in a different economic zone) and the pricier western counties. This affordability advantage pairs with a rural lifestyle and wide open spaces.
Low costs, but lower incomes too
The median household income of $53,264 means renters pay roughly $8,000 annually for a $668 monthly rent—a reasonable portion of their budget. However, homeowners paying $718 monthly ($8,616 yearly) face similar pressures on incomes that are $21,491 below the national median.
Ideal for remote workers seeking rural living
Liberty County's low rent of $668 and 15.1% housing ratio make it attractive for remote workers who can maintain higher incomes from afar. If you're relocating for flexibility and affordability, verify your remote work arrangement can sustain you—local wage opportunities remain limited.
Liberty County's median household income of $53,264 trails the national median by $21,491, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap reflects the county's rural character and limited service economy.
Montana's income ladder: middle rung
Liberty County ranks solidly in the middle of Montana's 56 counties, earning $53,264 against the state median of $62,295—about $9,000 below average. The county's ranching heritage and small population size shape its income profile.
Modest incomes, tight-knit communities
Liberty County's $53,264 median outperforms Lincoln County ($47,018) and nearly matches Meagher County ($56,215), though it lags McCone County's $71,842. These rural neighbors share similar economic structures centered on agriculture and small business.
Housing costs eat 15% of income
Liberty County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio is lean and favorable, and the median home value of $116,800 is Montana's most affordable among these eight counties. Here, median income goes further toward homeownership than nearly anywhere in the state.
Low housing costs open saving doors
Because housing consumes less of household income here, Liberty County families have room to build emergency funds and retirement savings. Even modest incomes can compound into wealth over time with disciplined investing and local financial planning guidance.
Liberty County's 84.7-year life expectancy ranks among the nation's highest, exceeding the U.S. average by over 7 years. However, 25% of residents report poor or fair health—significantly above the national 16.5%—revealing a disconnect between longevity and day-to-day wellness.
Montana's highest life expectancy
Liberty County's 84.7-year life expectancy leads Montana by over 8 years compared to the state average of 76.3. Yet the county's 16.7% uninsured rate exceeds Montana's 11.9% average, indicating healthcare coverage gaps persist despite strong longevity.
Limited provider data, high uninsured rate
Liberty County has 51 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest among surveyed counties—and mental health provider data is not available. With 16.7% of residents uninsured, the county faces real challenges connecting people to care when they need it.
Sparse providers, limited mental health resources
Liberty County operates just 51 primary care providers per 100K, and mental health provider availability is not currently tracked. One in six residents (16.7%) lacks health insurance, making access to both routine and urgent care significantly harder for vulnerable households.
Uninsured? Help is available now
At 16.7% uninsured, Liberty County residents face real barriers to healthcare. Reach out to Montana's Health Insurance Marketplace or local community health centers to explore options—coverage can be affordable and may include subsidies for qualifying families.
Liberty County's composite risk score of 6.30 places it firmly in the very low category, well below both national and state averages. This county experiences among the lowest natural disaster exposure in Montana.
Montana's safest counties include Liberty
At 6.30, Liberty County's score ranks substantially below Montana's 33.31 average, making it one of the state's least hazard-prone areas. Only a handful of Montana counties present lower composite risk.
Safest county in its region
Liberty County's score of 6.30 makes it safer than all neighboring counties, including McCone (5.25), though that margin is slim. The entire north-central region of Montana benefits from relatively low disaster risk.
Wildfire presents the clearest exposure
Wildfire risk at 17.08 represents Liberty County's highest hazard exposure, though this remains substantially below state averages for fire risk. All other hazard categories score below 16, with earthquake at 15.39 and flood at 11.86.
Standard homeowners insurance usually sufficient
Liberty County's minimal risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most properties. Residents should still verify coverage for wildfire and review policy limits every few years as property values change.