Montgomery County

Missouri · MO

#45 in Missouri
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Missouri

Above-average livability nationwide

Montgomery County's composite score of 75.1 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the nation's top-tier counties. This suggests meaningful quality-of-life advantages for residents.

Matches Missouri state benchmark

At 75.1, Montgomery County sits virtually level with Missouri's 74.8 state average, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper portion of the state's county rankings. It's a typical strong performer within the state.

Balanced income and affordability

Montgomery County offers a respectable Income Score of 23.2 with median household income of $61,042, while maintaining a Cost Score of 83.5 and Tax Score of 81.2. This balance makes it appealing to those seeking both earning opportunity and financial accessibility.

Limited data on key factors

Safety, schools, health, and environmental data are not yet available, leaving important livability dimensions unassessed. These gaps could be consequential for families making relocation decisions.

Solid choice for working families

Montgomery County suits working families seeking a balance between earning potential, affordable housing, and reasonable taxes. It's a mainstream choice that doesn't excel in any single area but delivers competent performance across the board.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.2Cost83.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.2Risk61.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
61.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

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 County taxes exceed US average

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 0.748% sits above the national median of approximately 0.82%, placing it among moderately higher-taxed American counties. While the median home value of $171,300 falls well short of the national median of $281,900, the rate pushes the overall burden higher.

Slightly above Missouri standard

At 0.748%, Montgomery County's effective rate exceeds Missouri's average of 0.733% by roughly 2%, positioning it among the state's moderately taxed counties. The median tax bill of $1,282 tops the state median of $1,199, making it a noticeably pricier jurisdiction within Missouri.

Highest tax rate among peers

Montgomery County's 0.748% rate stands as the highest in this rural Missouri region except for Mercer (0.950%) and Mississippi (0.877%), outpacing Morgan, Miller, Monroe, Moniteau, and New Madrid. This makes it one of the steeper-taxing counties among its competitors.

Median tax reaches $1,282 annually

A median-value home in Montgomery County worth $171,300 generates roughly $1,282 in yearly property taxes, or $1,387 with mortgage escrow included. At approximately $107 per month, this represents one of the region's higher monthly tax burdens.

Assessment challenges worth exploring

Given Montgomery County's above-average tax rate, homeowners should seriously consider requesting a formal assessment review or appeal. Overassessments are common, and successful appeals can result in substantial annual savings.

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery keeps rents in check

Montgomery County renters spend 15.1% of their income on rent, just slightly above the comfortable 12-15% national range. This remains manageable for most households with modest income cushions.

Slightly above Missouri average

Montgomery's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% edges above Missouri's state average of 15.6%, ranking it near the middle of statewide affordability. The county tracks closely with typical Missouri housing costs.

Standard central Missouri pricing

Montgomery's median rent of $767/month essentially matches the state average of $768 and sits in the middle of the regional range. The county reflects typical housing costs for central Missouri.

Montgomery's stable housing equation

With a median household income of $61,042, Montgomery residents pay $767/month in rent or $733/month for mortgages on homes valued at $171,300. Housing absorbs roughly 15% of income for renters, leaving reasonable resources for other expenses.

Montgomery offers reliable value

If you're relocating and prefer standard housing costs with solid incomes, Montgomery County delivers predictable affordability near the state average. The county's balanced approach makes it a safe choice for typical Missouri households.

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery's income moderately trails nation

Montgomery County's median household income of $61,042 falls about $13,700 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county performs slightly above Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the middle-upper tier regionally.

Slightly above Missouri average

With a median household income of $61,042, Montgomery County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by roughly $1,500. Among the eight surveyed counties, Montgomery ranks third-highest, reflecting a solid but not exceptional local economy.

Competitive with nearby counties

Montgomery County's $61,042 income ranks third in its region, behind only Moniteau ($65,161) and Mercer ($60,357). The county outearns Miller ($55,172), Monroe ($48,299), and Mississippi ($46,258), placing it comfortably in the upper half of the cluster.

Housing remains achievable

Montgomery's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio sits in the mid-range, indicating housing costs are present but manageable. With a median home value of $171,300 and steady incomes, homeownership is accessible to disciplined savers.

Build systematic investment habits

Montgomery households have adequate income to establish automatic transfers to savings and retirement accounts. Starting with employer 401(k) matches and IRAs creates a foundation for long-term wealth accumulation and retirement security.

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery trails national health average

At 73.8 years, Montgomery County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 74.4 years by 0.6 years, indicating health outcomes below the American baseline. The 20.9% poor or fair health rate exceeds national figures, reflecting chronic disease burdens and healthcare access challenges.

Below Missouri's health average

Montgomery's 73.8-year life expectancy falls 0.5 years short of Missouri's 74.3-year average, ranking it among the state's lower-performing counties. The county's 12.0% uninsured rate is slightly below Missouri's 12.5% average, though coverage alone cannot offset other barriers.

Struggling within its region

Montgomery's 73.8-year life expectancy trails all nearby counties, including Monroe County (76.1 years) and Miller County (74.9 years), by significant margins. With 18 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers moderate physician access but falls short of regional peers.

Coverage above average, access below

Montgomery's 12.0% uninsured rate is slightly better than Missouri's state average, but 18 primary care providers per 100K leaves gaps in routine care access. Mental health providers at 44 per 100K offer baseline behavioral health support but lag counties with stronger resources.

Health insurance is a foundation

Montgomery's 12% uninsured rate means improvements in coverage could boost community health across the board—insurance opens doors to preventive visits and chronic disease management. If you lack coverage, visit healthcare.gov or MO Health Net to enroll in plans that fit your budget.

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery carries moderate national risk

Montgomery County's composite risk score of 38.33 places it in the "Very Low" category but above the national median. This score reflects moderate exposure to natural disasters compared to the typical American county.

Lower-risk county in Missouri

Montgomery's score of 38.33 falls 24% below Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it firmly in the safer half of the state. This places Montgomery among Missouri's more resilient counties against natural disaster threats.

Safer than most nearby regions

Montgomery's 38.33 exceeds only Monroe (21.18) and Mercer (12.28) among its neighbors, but significantly undercuts Miller (55.09). Compared to regional peers, Montgomery offers better-than-average safety.

Earthquake and flood warrant attention

Earthquake risk scores 69.12 and flood risk 47.93—Montgomery's two most significant threats, though neither reaches truly dangerous levels. Tornado risk at 32.67 remains below state average, while wildfire poses minimal concern.

Evaluate earthquake and flood coverage

Montgomery residents should assess earthquake insurance given the county's elevated seismic exposure at 69.12. Flood insurance warrants evaluation for properties in vulnerable areas, though broader flood risk remains moderate.

ByCounty Network

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