Montgomery County

Georgia · GA

#34 in Georgia
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Georgia

Montgomery Exceeds National Livability Mark

Montgomery County scores 72.9 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 46th percentile nationally, indicating strong baseline livability.

Above Georgia's State Performance Average

Montgomery's 72.9 composite score exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it in the state's upper-performing cohort. The county demonstrates consistent strength in affordability metrics.

Exceptional Housing Affordability Dominates

Montgomery's cost score of 85.2 ranks second-highest in this group, with median home values of just $118,200 and the second-lowest rent at $732/month. The tax score of 75.1 with an effective rate of 0.965% rounds out strong financial accessibility.

Modest Income Growth and Data Limitations

The income score of 16.8 with median household income of $51,188 ranks among the lowest in this cohort. Missing data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality prevent complete livability assessment.

Perfect for Value-Seeking Young Families

Montgomery appeals to first-time homebuyers and young families prioritizing low housing costs and tax efficiency over salary growth. The county's exceptional affordability makes it an excellent entry point for building equity without high financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.1Cost85.2SafetyComing SoonHealth55.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk92.2WaterComing Soon
🏛75.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
55.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
92.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Montgomery County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Montgomery County

via TaxByCounty

Montgomery taxes: slightly elevated nationwide

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 0.965% sits slightly above the national median, though residents pay just $1,140 annually due to modest home values. This moderate rate puts Montgomery among mid-range tax jurisdictions nationally.

Above Georgia's state average

At 0.965%, Montgomery's rate exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the upper half of Georgia's county tax rankings. The median property tax of $1,140 runs nearly $400 below the state median, reflecting lower home values.

Mid-range among regional counties

Montgomery's 0.965% rate sits between McIntosh (0.753%) and Meriwether (0.931%), positioning it as a moderate-tax county regionally. The modest absolute tax burden reflects the county's lower-valued homes.

What a $118k home costs annually

The median Montgomery County home valued at $118,200 generates approximately $1,140 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related fees, homeowners pay $1,398 yearly; those without mortgages pay around $810.

Challenge assessments to lower costs

Montgomery County homeowners should review their assessments annually—even modest overvaluations add up over time. If your home's assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales, Montgomery County's assessor welcomes appeals that can reduce your annual tax.

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery achieves strong affordability

Montgomery's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average while the median income of $51,188 trails the U.S. figure by 32%, showing residents stretch modest earnings efficiently. This efficiency-to-income ratio makes Montgomery a value-conscious choice.

Above Georgia's affordability average

At 17.2%, Montgomery's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Georgia's 18.6% state average, ranking it among the state's more affordable counties. This position suggests Montgomery residents enjoy better housing value than most Georgians.

Near-lowest rents in the region

Montgomery's median rent of $732 is the third-lowest across the eight counties, bested only by Miller ($699) and Mitchell ($776) by thin margins. At $195 below Georgia's state average, Montgomery delivers strong regional value.

Balanced costs for renters and buyers

Renters pay $732 monthly while homeowners spend $666 on median properties worth $118,200—the second-lowest home value in the group. Both pathways consume roughly 17% of the $51,188 median income, offering reasonable choices for households at any stage.

Montgomery offers solid middle-ground value

Relocating on a tight budget should compare Montgomery's $732 rent and $118,200 median home value to nearby Miller and Mitchell counties. Its balanced affordability and ownership costs make it a reliable option for families transitioning between renting and buying.

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery trails national income benchmark

Montgomery County's median household income of $51,188 falls $23,567 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. Residents earn approximately 68% of typical American household income.

Significantly below Georgia's state average

Montgomery County ranks well below Georgia's state median household income of $60,488, falling short by $9,300. The county's per capita income of $27,633 also lags the state average of $31,115.

Lowest income among regional peers

Montgomery County's $51,188 median household income ties with Mitchell County ($51,908) for the lowest in the region. The county trails all other neighbors, including McIntosh ($50,348), McDuffie ($54,058), and Meriwether ($56,458).

Good rental affordability despite limited income

Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is favorable, with renters spending well below the 28% affordability threshold. The median home value of $118,200 is relatively affordable, though household income constraints limit savings and investment capacity.

Financial strategies for Montgomery County households

Montgomery County residents should focus on stabilizing household budgets and eliminating high-interest debt before pursuing major purchases. Investing in workforce development, pursuing higher-wage employment, and exploring supplemental income sources can help increase long-term earning potential and wealth accumulation.

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery's life expectancy trails national average

At 71.4 years, Montgomery County residents live 5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in four residents report poor or fair health at 25.3%, placing Montgomery among the county cohort's most challenged in terms of population health.

Below Georgia average despite reasonable coverage

Montgomery's 71.4-year life expectancy lags Georgia's 73.3-year average by 1.9 years, signaling health challenges persist despite coverage efforts. The county's 14.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 15.0%, suggesting that access to care alone doesn't explain Montgomery's health outcomes gap.

Moderate health outcomes, limited provider data

Montgomery's 71.4-year life expectancy falls in the lower-middle range of this region, ahead of Meriwether (70.8 years) and Miller (67.3 years) but well behind Monroe (74.5 years) and Morgan (75.8 years). Primary care provider data is unavailable, making full assessment difficult, though 69 mental health providers per 100K suggests behavioral health capacity exists.

Coverage gaps in primary care access remain

Montgomery's 14.2% uninsured rate is reasonable, but primary care provider data is not available—limiting visibility into whether residents can actually access doctors. With 69 mental health providers per 100K and 25.3% reporting poor health, the county likely faces untreated chronic disease and behavioral health challenges.

Secure coverage and prioritize preventive care

Montgomery residents should enroll in health coverage through healthcare.gov or Medicaid to ensure access to routine care and early disease detection. With 14.2% still uninsured and 25.3% reporting poor health, getting covered is essential to breaking the cycle of late-stage treatment.

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery is among the safest counties

Montgomery County scores 7.82 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and ranking as one of America's lowest-risk communities. Your county experiences dramatically fewer natural disaster threats than the national average.

Georgia's lowest-risk county by far

Montgomery's score of 7.82 is less than one-fifth of Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it the state's safest county by a significant margin. No other Georgia county comes close to Montgomery's exceptionally low risk profile.

Dramatically safer than surrounding area

Montgomery County (7.82) stands alone as a safety outlier—all neighboring counties score substantially higher, with Miller (20.80), Monroe (18.70), and Meriwether (19.21) representing your closest peers. Your exceptional safety status distinguishes Montgomery across the entire state.

Hurricane and wildfire risks minimal

Hurricane risk (70.55) represents your highest score, yet remains modest compared to most Georgia counties, while wildfire (37.12) and flood (14.82) risks stay low. Tornado (32.00) and earthquake (39.06) risks round out an exceptionally balanced, low-threat profile.

Basic coverage sufficient for safety

Standard homeowners insurance provides comprehensive protection for Montgomery's exceptional low-risk environment, with no additional specialized coverage necessary. Basic storm preparedness and annual insurance reviews remain prudent practices despite your county's outstanding safety record.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.