CountyScore

Montgomery County

Kentucky · KY

#70 in Kentucky
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Kentucky

Montgomery Ranks Above National Median

Montgomery County's composite score of 73.8 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the better half of U.S. counties for livability. This 48% advantage reflects solid performance in tax burden and housing affordability.

Near-Average in Kentucky

Montgomery's score of 73.8 falls just short of Kentucky's state average of 75.0 by 1.2 points, making it a competitive but middling option within the commonwealth. Its ranking reflects typical Kentucky livability across measured dimensions.

Balanced Taxes and Costs

Montgomery's tax score of 81.3 and cost score of 81.3 are perfectly matched, with an effective tax rate of 0.746%, median home value of $163,800, and rent of $796/month. These balanced metrics support median household incomes of $57,468 with reasonable affordability.

Income Growth Potential Unclear

Montgomery's income score of 20.9 is modest, with median household income of $57,468 trailing stronger regional alternatives. Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk factors remain unavailable, limiting assessment beyond basic affordability metrics.

Solid Choice for Middle-Class Families

Montgomery County suits middle-income families seeking balanced tax efficiency and moderate housing costs without exceptional earning potential. Its near-average score reflects stable but unremarkable livability within Kentucky.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.3Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk65.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.7
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

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
Indiana
70.6
Median income: $59,987

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's rate is moderately higher

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 0.746% runs 5% above the national median of 0.71%, placing it in the upper tier nationally. Median property taxes here are $1,222 annually—45% of the national median of $2,690—due to lower median home values than the U.S. average.

Slightly above Kentucky average

Montgomery County's rate of 0.746% exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, putting it in the higher half of the state's tax burden distribution. The median annual tax of $1,222 is 12% above the state median of $1,093, reflecting Montgomery's higher median home value of $163,800.

Fourth-highest rate in the region

Montgomery County's 0.746% rate ranks fourth among the eight counties, behind Mercer County (0.819%), Monroe County (0.767%), and Morgan County (0.757%). Its median tax bill of $1,222 is in the mid-range for the region.

Median home assessment yields $1,222 tax

A home valued at Montgomery County's median of $163,800 generates approximately $1,222 in annual property taxes. For mortgaged properties, accounting for insurance and related costs brings that to roughly $1,393 annually.

Assess your property's true value

Montgomery County homeowners paying above-average taxes should compare their assessment against recent sales of similar homes in the area. Filing an appeal is free and could lower your tax burden if your property is valued above current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery County near state average

Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% sits just below Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, reflecting typical housing pressures across the state. Renters pay $796 monthly on a median household income of $57,468, placing housing costs squarely in the state's middle range.

Typical Kentucky housing costs

At 16.6%, Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio nearly matches the state average of 17.0%, positioning it as representative of Kentucky's broader housing challenges. It's neither an outlier for affordability nor a burden.

Montgomery near regional middle

Montgomery's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio sits between Mercer's 15.3% and Morgan's 16.9%, with monthly rent at $796 placing it mid-range among nearby counties. Home values of $163,800 reflect moderate demand and economic activity.

Housing costs: rent vs. ownership

Renters in Montgomery pay $796 monthly (16.6% of income), while homeowners spend $846 monthly with a median home value of $163,800. Both pathways require similar monthly commitments, with ownership slightly higher but offering long-term equity.

Montgomery: standard Kentucky option

Montgomery County reflects typical Kentucky housing costs and economics—neither a bargain nor a burden, but stable and representative. If you're relocating to the region and value consistency over exceptional savings, Montgomery is a solid baseline choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery trails national median

Montgomery County's median household income of $57,468 falls $17,287 short of the U.S. median of $74,755—a 23% gap. While below the national average, Montgomery's income level indicates a working economy with moderate stability, though significant room for improvement.

Montgomery slightly above state average

At $57,468, Montgomery County's median household income exceeds the Kentucky state median of $55,909 by $1,559. This modest 3% advantage shows Montgomery residents earn roughly in line with typical Kentuckians, reflecting an average county economy without pronounced strength or weakness.

Montgomery in the middle pack

Montgomery County's $57,468 median household income sits between wealthier Mercer County ($63,115) to the east and lower-income Morgan County ($47,493) to the north. The county's position reflects moderate economic conditions compared to more prosperous and more struggling neighbors.

Housing costs require attention

Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% is elevated but manageable, consuming a notable share of household earnings. The median home value of $163,800 is moderate for the region, though renters and homebuyers should budget carefully given limited household income margins.

Montgomery can build gradually

Montgomery County residents should establish steady savings habits and take full advantage of employer retirement plans. Consider lower-cost index funds and long-term investment strategies to turn consistent earnings into meaningful wealth accumulation over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery's life expectancy trails nation

At 71.9 years, Montgomery County falls 2.1 years below the U.S. average (74.0), though it just misses exceeding Kentucky's state average (72.2) by a hair. One in four residents (24.2%) report poor or fair health, pointing to substantial chronic disease and health equity challenges in this northeast Kentucky county.

Lower-middle tier health outcomes

Montgomery ranks in Kentucky's lower half by life expectancy and self-reported health status, though it performs slightly better than the state median. The 6.6% uninsured rate beats the state average, suggesting insurance access isn't the primary barrier to better outcomes.

Strong provider access, modest outcomes

Montgomery's 71.9-year life expectancy trails McLean (74.5), Meade (75.1), and Mercer (73.4), despite having 50 primary care providers per 100,000—the second-highest in this group. Remarkably, Montgomery leads the region with 463 mental health providers per 100,000, yet health metrics remain below peers, suggesting barriers beyond provider availability.

Exceptional mental health capacity underused

Montgomery boasts 463 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—by far the densest concentration in Kentucky—yet 24.2% still report poor health, suggesting mental health services may be inaccessible due to cost, stigma, or other barriers. With 50 primary care providers per 100,000 and only 6.6% uninsured, coverage and supply exist; outcomes gaps likely reflect social determinants of health.

Use Montgomery's robust mental health resources

Montgomery's unprecedented mental health provider network is an asset for residents facing depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder. If you lack coverage, kynect.ky.gov connects you to Medicaid and other plans that unlock access to these services—many providers accept public insurance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery sits safely below average

At 34.32, Montgomery County's composite risk score falls below the national average with a Very Low rating. The county faces minimal to moderate exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Below Kentucky's typical risk

Montgomery's 34.32 scores below the state average of 44.21, placing it among Kentucky's safer counties. This modest advantage reflects balanced hazard exposure with no single dominant threat.

Moderate risk in regional context

Montgomery's 34.32 exceeds the exceptionally safe Menifee (6.20) and Morgan (22.07) but trails peers like Mercer (41.41). Wildfire risk (30.66) is notably higher here than in most surrounding areas.

Tornado and flood lead concerns

Tornado risk at 53.85 and flood exposure at 49.68 drive Montgomery's hazard profile, both near or slightly below state averages. Wildfire risk of 30.66 ranks second-highest in the immediate region, requiring awareness during dry seasons.

Comprehensive coverage recommended

Verify your homeowners policy includes full wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, and consider flood insurance if your property is in a floodplain or low-lying area. Wildfire risk warrants vegetation management around your home.

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.