CountyScore

Missoula County

Montana · MT

#55 in Montana
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Missoula County, Montana

Solid performance above the national median

Missoula County scores 64.7 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 by nearly 15 points. This places it comfortably in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties for livability.

Below Montana's state average

With a score of 64.7, Missoula County falls below Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the lower-middle range of Montana counties. The gap reflects urban cost pressures relative to the state's more rural areas.

Strong income and health outcomes

Missoula County excels in median household income at $71,246 (29.9 score) and health outcomes at 76.1—among the best in the group. These metrics reflect the county's substantial population base and medical infrastructure.

High costs and housing pressure

The county's cost score of 66.2 is the lowest in this group, driven by median home values of $423,100 and median rent of $1,125 per month. Urban sprawl and demand continue to push housing prices upward.

Best for professionals seeking urban amenities

Missoula County suits young professionals and established families prioritizing higher incomes, cultural amenities, and robust health care over affordability. Its urban character and economic dynamism come at a livability cost compared to rural Montana alternatives.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.8Cost66.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.9Risk23WaterComing Soon
🏛76.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23
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 Missoula County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
California
64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
California
64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
California
64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
Georgia
64.7
Median income: $79,431
Clinton County
Iowa
64.7
Median income: $65,177

Deep Dives

Missoula County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Missoula County

via TaxByCounty

Missoula taxes run 28% above average

At 0.906%, Missoula County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.71% by 28%, ranking it among America's higher-tax counties. The median bill of $3,833 is 43% higher than the national median of $2,690—the highest among these eight counties.

Highest rate in Montana

Missoula County leads all 56 Montana counties at 0.906% effective tax rate, nearly 18% above the state average of 0.767%. Only Liberty County (1.031%) comes close—a stark divide between these two and the rest of the state.

Steepest taxes, priciest homes

Missoula's $423,100 median home value is the region's highest, paired with Montana's steepest 0.906% tax rate, producing annual bills of $3,833. Residents pay substantially more than any neighbor—Lewis and Clark ($2,886) and Mineral ($1,728) pale by comparison.

Your $3,833 annual tax bill

A typical Missoula County home worth $423,100 costs $3,833 per year in property taxes—$319 monthly. With a mortgage, you'll pay $3,958; without, $3,521.

High taxes make appeals crucial

With Montana's highest property tax rate and the region's priciest homes, Missoula residents stand to save most from assessment challenges. Request a free reappraisal if recent comparable sales suggest overvaluation—savings compound quickly on six-figure tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Missoula County

via CostByCounty

Missoula renters exceed affordability thresholds

Missoula County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the 15% national standard and Montana's 15.9% state average. At $1,125 per month, median rent is 36% above the state average, driven by the county's role as Montana's second-largest city and a destination for young professionals and students.

Among Montana's least affordable rental markets

Missoula County ranks among the state's most expensive rental markets, with an 18.9% rent-to-income ratio well above Montana's 15.9% average. Only a few western and resort-adjacent counties rival its rental costs, reflecting strong demand from the University of Montana, tech workers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Premium pricing for urban amenities

Missoula's $1,125 rent trails only Lewis and Clark's $1,062 (close) and falls just short of Madison County's $1,159, making it one of the region's priciest markets. The premium reflects Missoula's vibrant downtown, cultural institutions, breweries, and university presence—amenities rural counties cannot match.

Urban living comes with housing costs

Renters earning the median $71,246 spend approximately $13,500 annually on rent—18.9% of gross income. Homeowners face steeper ownership costs at $1,425 monthly ($17,100 yearly); the median home value of $423,100 reflects Missoula's popularity and creates significant barriers to homeownership for many residents.

Value city amenities against budget constraints

Missoula's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio and $1,125 rents signal the trade-off between urban amenities and affordability. If relocating here, prioritize earning above the $71,246 median—or consider adjacent rural counties offering lower costs with reasonable access to Missoula's attractions.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Missoula County

via IncomeByCounty

Above-average national standing

Missoula County's median household income of $71,246 exceeds 48% of U.S. counties and comes within $3,509 of the national median of $74,755. The University of Montana and diverse service sector drive strong household earnings.

Montana's third-wealthiest county

At $71,246, Missoula County earns $8,951 above Montana's state median of $62,295, ranking in the state's top tier. University employment, healthcare, and technology sectors create above-average income opportunities.

Urban advantage over rural peers

Missoula County ($71,246) trails only Lewis and Clark County ($74,543) among these eight counties, significantly outearning all rural neighbors. Its university presence and regional role as western Montana's economic hub explain the income premium.

Steep housing costs pinch incomes

Despite strong incomes, Missoula County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $423,100 create affordability pressure. The county's popularity drives housing costs that consume nearly a fifth of median household earnings.

University town's wealth-building culture

Missoula's educated workforce and progressive community create abundant financial planning resources and investment-minded peers. With above-state-average incomes, residents can aggressively fund retirement accounts and diversify wealth beyond housing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Missoula County

via HealthByCounty

Missoula lives better than America

At 78.6 years, Missoula County residents live over a year longer than the U.S. average of 77.6 years. With 13.9% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 16.5%—the county benefits from strong healthcare systems and engaged communities.

Montana's healthiest urban center

Missoula County's 78.6-year life expectancy ranks among Montana's best, exceeding the state average of 76.3 by over 2 years. Its 9.0% uninsured rate is the lowest among surveyed Montana counties, reflecting robust coverage and economic opportunity.

Unmatched provider density statewide

Missoula County leads Montana with 115 primary care providers per 100K and 659 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding any peer county. This density reflects the presence of the University of Montana and regional medical hub status.

Premier access, minimal coverage gaps

With 115 primary care and 659 mental health providers per 100K, Missoula County operates Montana's most robust healthcare infrastructure. At just 9% uninsured—the lowest in the state—nearly every resident has a path to care.

Even Missoula has uninsured residents

Though Missoula County's 9% uninsured rate leads Montana, 1 in 11 residents still lack coverage. Check Healthcare.gov or visit your local health center to explore plans—access to primary and mental health care is strongest when everyone has insurance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Missoula County

via RiskByCounty

Missoula County faces elevated disaster risk

Missoula County's composite risk score of 77.04 ranks it as relatively low nationally but substantially above average for natural hazard exposure. The score reflects significant vulnerabilities across multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and earthquake.

Among Montana's highest-risk counties

At 77.04, Missoula County dramatically exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31, placing it among the state's most hazard-exposed areas. Only Lewis and Clark County approaches Missoula's elevated composite risk score.

Riskiest county in its region

Missoula County's score of 77.04 substantially exceeds neighboring Lincoln (64.28), Madison (41.03), Mineral (7.35), and all other regional peers. The county bears the highest disaster risk exposure in western Montana.

Wildfire and earthquake drive risk profile

Wildfire risk reaches 95.77 in Missoula County—among Montana's highest—while earthquake risk at 91.35 reflects the county's location in a seismically active region. Flood risk at 68.64 adds meaningful exposure, particularly for riverside properties and development zones.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Missoula County residents must ensure wildfire damage is explicitly covered in their homeowners policy given the 95.77 risk score, as many standard policies exclude it. Adding earthquake coverage is equally essential given the 91.35 score; review flood risk for your specific property location and consider additional protection if needed.

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.