CountyScore

Montgomery County

Kansas · KS

#102 in Kansas
60.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Kansas

Montgomery County outperforms national median

Montgomery County's composite score of 64.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 29%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This performance is driven largely by exceptional housing affordability.

Below Kansas state performance

Montgomery County ranks below the Kansas state average of 66.0, placing it in the lower-middle range of the state's 105 counties. The county faces challenges from both low household incomes and moderate tax burdens.

Housing costs remain very manageable

Montgomery County's cost score of 83.4 reflects median home values of just $92,100 and monthly rent averaging $759, among the most affordable options examined. This exceptional affordability provides a strong foundation for budget-limited households.

Incomes among the lowest in group

Montgomery County's income score of 18.1 reflects median household income of $53,242—the second-lowest among these eight counties—and an effective tax rate of 1.696% that strains tight budgets. Data remains unavailable for health, schools, safety, and environmental quality.

Suits fixed-income and retired residents

Montgomery County appeals primarily to retirees and those on fixed or very modest incomes seeking maximum affordability in rural Kansas. The county's rock-bottom housing costs make it viable for those with limited earnings seeking sustainable living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.6Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.1Risk26.6WaterComing Soon
🏛54.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.6
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 Montgomery County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kings County
California
60.9
Median income: $68,750
Marion County
Indiana
60.9
Median income: $63,450
Bristol County
Massachusetts
60.9
Median income: $84,198
Fulton County
New York
60.9
Median income: $62,615
Atascosa County
Texas
60.9
Median income: $69,413

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 above national median

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 1.696% exceeds the national median of 1.29%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax of $1,562 is about 42% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting Kansas's lower property values.

Elevated rate for a rural county

Montgomery's 1.696% effective rate ranks above the Kansas state average of 1.549%, making it one of the higher-taxed counties. The median tax of $1,562 is below the state median of $1,943 because Montgomery homes are valued lower.

Mid-to-high taxes regionally

Montgomery's 1.696% rate sits between the lower-taxed Marshall (1.280%) and the higher-taxed Mitchell (1.901%). The median home value of $92,100 is among the lowest in the region, yet taxes remain relatively high due to the rate itself.

What Montgomery homeowners actually pay

The median Montgomery home valued at $92,100 generates roughly $1,562 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $1,980; without one, closer to $1,215 due to homestead exemptions.

You may be overassessed

Even lower-value properties deserve accurate assessments—Montgomery residents should verify their county assessments against recent neighborhood sales. An appeal could provide meaningful relief on what's already a relatively high tax rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery County faces affordability pressures

At 17.1%, Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, meaning residents here dedicate nearly one-fifth of their earnings to rent alone. With median household income at just $53,242—nearly $22,000 below the national median—and rent at $759, housing costs create genuine financial strain for renters.

Montgomery County struggles with Kansas affordability

Montgomery County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the poorest in this survey, substantially exceeding Kansas's 14.7% state average. The combination of the state's lowest median income and mid-range rents creates a affordability crisis that requires careful household budgeting.

Montgomery faces the region's steepest rent burden

Despite charging moderate rent at $759, Montgomery County's extremely low income of $53,242 creates the region's worst rent-to-income ratio at 17.1%—considerably worse than Marion (13.8%), Marshall (11.3%), or any neighbor. This income-to-cost mismatch distinguishes Montgomery as the region's most financially stretched county.

Housing costs stretch Montgomery incomes thin

Renters earning Montgomery County's median of $53,242 annually pay $759 monthly for rent—nearly 17% of their gross income—leaving limited funds for other necessities. Homeowners face slightly lower costs at $752 monthly on median homes worth just $92,100, but both groups experience financial tightness compared to neighboring counties.

Montgomery County: proceed with caution

Montgomery County's combination of low incomes and moderate housing costs creates the region's toughest affordability challenge—avoid this county unless employment opportunities significantly exceed current wage levels. If you're relocating for work, verify that new job income substantially exceeds the county median; otherwise, Marshall, Mitchell, or Marion offer far superior housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery County significantly trails national income

Montgomery County's median household income of $53,242 falls substantially below the national median of $74,755 by about 29%, placing it among America's lower-income counties. This significant gap indicates economic challenges that require focused attention to employment and opportunity development.

Kansas's lowest earners live here

Montgomery County ranks at the bottom of Kansas counties with a $53,242 median household income, falling nearly $11,200 below the state average of $64,428. This substantial gap represents the most economically challenged county in this sample and reflects Montgomery's struggling economic base.

Montgomery faces the region's toughest income situation

Montgomery County's $53,242 income substantially trails all comparison counties, including Morris County ($56,716) and Mitchell County ($58,233) nearby, and falls more than $34,000 behind Miami County. This wide gap underscores Montgomery's economic isolation within the region and suggests limited local employment opportunities.

Housing affordability crisis in Montgomery

Montgomery County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio—the highest among all eight counties—indicates severe housing cost burden on residents already earning significantly less than state and national averages. With per capita income of only $28,959, the lowest in this sample, household finances face genuine strain in meeting basic housing and living costs.

Montgomery County: building from foundation

With median household income at $53,242, Montgomery County families face real financial constraints but can still build stability through careful budgeting, utilizing community assistance programs, and starting small with accessible savings tools. Even setting aside $500–$1,000 annually toward an emergency fund or low-cost savings account creates a crucial financial cushion for unexpected expenses.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery faces severe health crisis

Montgomery County's 72.2-year life expectancy falls 3.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, marking one of America's most dramatic lifespan gaps. The 20.3% poor/fair health rate—the highest in this eight-county cohort—far exceeds the national average of 17%, signaling severe population health challenges.

Montgomery's lifespan crisis in Kansas

At 72.2 years, Montgomery County's life expectancy lags Kansas's 75.4-year state average by 3.2 years, ranking it among the state's lowest-performing counties. The 11.3% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, suggesting that affordability alone does not explain Montgomery's health burden.

Montgomery ranks last in health outcomes

Montgomery County's 72.2-year life expectancy and 20.3% poor/fair health rate represent the worst performance in this entire eight-county comparison. Even Meade County's 74.1-year lifespan exceeds Montgomery by nearly 2 years, indicating Montgomery faces a distinct and urgent health emergency.

Few primary care doctors, mental health access

Montgomery County has only 23 primary care providers per 100K—one of the lowest densities—creating significant barriers to preventive and routine care. The county's 232 mental health providers per 100K is the highest in the region, but this concentration suggests underlying behavioral health and substance use crises drive Montgomery's poor health outcomes.

Montgomery residents: urgent action needed

Montgomery County faces a severe health crisis—your life expectancy trails the state by 3.2 years. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov immediately, and speak with a doctor about preventive screening; if you're struggling with mental health or substance use, call SAMHSA's 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery County's elevated exposure

Montgomery County scores 73.38 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and nearly tripling Kansas's state average of 29.89. This places the county among the nation's higher-risk communities for natural disasters.

Kansas's highest-risk county

Montgomery County ranks as the riskiest county in Kansas based on composite scores, with exposure to nearly every hazard type at elevated levels. Its Relatively Low rating reflects the inherent baseline safety of Kansas overall despite exceptional local risk.

Far exceeds regional counterparts

Montgomery County's 73.38 score dwarfs all neighboring counties by a massive margin, with the next-highest peer at Marion's 37.98. This exceptional risk profile makes Montgomery a clear regional outlier.

Tornado crisis-level threat

Tornado risk soars to 88.55, the highest in Kansas and representing an exceptional threat requiring serious preparedness. Flooding ranks second at 70.48, with wildfire and earthquake risks also elevated at 70.23 and 48.03 respectively.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage critical

Montgomery County residents must maintain storm shelters and ensure homeowners policies cover tornado, hail, wind, and flood damage with low deductibles. Flood insurance is essential, and consultation with an agent about bundled coverage addressing all four major hazards is strongly advised.

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.