CountyScore

Montgomery County

North Carolina · NC

#26 in North Carolina
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, North Carolina

Montgomery County Scores Well Above Median

Montgomery County posts a composite score of 76.0, nearly 52% higher than the national median of 50.0. This strong performance positions the county among livable U.S. communities with balanced strengths across measured dimensions.

Solid Performer in North Carolina

Montgomery scores 76.0, outpacing North Carolina's average of 72.7 by over 3 points. The county ranks in the upper tier statewide, demonstrating competitive livability across tax, cost, and economic dimensions.

Tax Efficiency and Affordable Housing

Montgomery combines a tax score of 82.5 (effective rate 0.703%) with a cost score of 85.1, offering median home values of $150,300 and monthly rent at $753. These favorable conditions create genuine affordability for families and retirees.

Limited Income and Data Availability

The income score of 19.8 reflects a median household income of $55,849, modest by state standards and suitable primarily for fixed-income households. Safety, health, school, risk, and water quality data remain unavailable, preventing comprehensive livability assessment.

Strong Choice for Budget-Minded Families

Montgomery County appeals to families and retirees seeking affordable living with low taxes in a stable community setting. The solid composite score and cost advantages make it an attractive option for those prioritizing financial stability over wage growth or metropolitan amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.5Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk51.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.1
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

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Alaska
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Median income: $64,000
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69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
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69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
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69.7
Median income: $95,450
Franklin County
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69.7
Median income: $52,264

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 cluster near national median

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 0.703% sits just below the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the middle-ground nationally. The median property tax of $1,057 is far below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Montgomery's lower home values.

Montgomery tracks closely with state average

At 0.703%, Montgomery's effective rate nearly matches North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, making it representative of typical North Carolina tax burden. The median tax of $1,057 runs $376 below the state median, helping offset the slightly elevated rate.

Montgomery sits in the state's middle tier

Montgomery's 0.703% rate exceeds mountain counties like Madison (0.496%) but stays below Martin County's exceptional 1.070%. This positions Montgomery as a middle-ground option across the state's tax landscape.

On a Montgomery median home, here's the tax

A $150,300 home—Montgomery's median value—carries approximately $1,057 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage see the total rise to $1,230 with added county fees.

Assessment review can uncover hidden savings

Montgomery homeowners should verify their assessments are accurate and explore any available tax exemptions they may have missed. A free appeal to the county assessor costs nothing and often reveals opportunities for reduction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery keeps housing costs within reach

Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% sits below the national affordability strain threshold, with median households earning $55,849 and paying $753 monthly in rent. Housing remains a manageable expense relative to local incomes.

Montgomery ranks well below state average stress

At 16.2%, Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below North Carolina's average of 18.6%, placing it among the more affordable housing markets statewide. This advantage holds despite incomes running below both state and national medians.

Montgomery mirrors the piedmont affordability zone

Montgomery's $753 rent and $55,849 income closely match McDowell and Madison counties, though Montgomery sits in the piedmont rather than the mountains. The broader pattern shows that rural and small-town North Carolina consistently offers better affordability than Charlotte and the metro corridors.

Renters and owners both find reasonable costs

Montgomery County households earning $55,849 spend 16.2% of income on rent ($753) or roughly 13.8% on ownership ($645) for median homes valued at $150,300. Both housing pathways remain affordable for working families in this county.

Montgomery: piedmont affordability without mountains

If you want rural affordability without the mountains, Montgomery County offers $753 rents and $150,300 home values in a piedmont setting. Compare this to Moore County's $1,181 rent just an hour south, and you'll see why location within North Carolina matters enormously for housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery County falls short nationally

Montgomery County's median household income of $55,849 falls $18,906 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it among lower-income American counties. The 25% income gap reflects the county's rural character and limited economic diversification.

Below-average earnings within North Carolina

Montgomery County's $55,849 median household income ranks below North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by $5,223, placing it in the lower third of the state's counties. Per capita income of $30,192 is also below state average, indicating constrained individual earning potential.

Struggles among nearby counties

Montgomery County earns $55,849, trailing nearby Mitchell County ($58,089) and Madison County ($58,628) while slightly outpacing McDowell County ($55,527). The county's weak income reflects limited job diversity and rural isolation.

Affordable housing supports families

Montgomery County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates solid housing affordability, staying well below the 30% threshold for sustainable costs. The median home value of $150,300 is among the lowest profiled, offering strong housing security despite modest incomes.

Build wealth through disciplined saving

Montgomery County households earning $55,849 should prioritize an emergency fund and automated savings plans to ensure financial stability. Even small monthly investments in retirement or index funds, enabled by low housing costs, can build meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery County health below national

At 72.3 years, Montgomery County's life expectancy is 2.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, indicating significant health disadvantages. With 19.6% of residents in poor or fair health—below the national 21% but still elevated—the county faces chronic disease burdens that cut lives short.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Montgomery County's 72.3-year life expectancy is the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by 2.1 years. This gap signals compounding health challenges—poverty, limited healthcare access, and higher rates of preventable disease—that disproportionately affect this small rural county.

Worst health in this cluster

Montgomery County's 72.3-year life expectancy is significantly lower than Nash County (73.5 years), McDowell County (74.3 years), and Madison County (74.7 years). With just 27 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest of any county profiled—Montgomery residents face the steepest access barriers in the region.

Most uninsured county profiled

Montgomery County's 16.2% uninsured rate is the highest among all counties studied and well above the state average of 12.5%, meaning 1 in 6 residents lack coverage. Combined with the county's critical shortage of 27 primary care providers per 100K, uninsured residents have almost no pathway to preventive care, forcing reliance on emergency services.

Coverage is survival here

With 1 in 6 Montgomery County residents uninsured—the worst rate in this group—healthcare access is a crisis. Call your local health department or visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace plans; insurance is your lifeline in a county with scarce providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery County below-average risk overall

Montgomery County scores 48.95 on the composite risk scale with a "Relatively Low" rating, about 27% below North Carolina's 66.72 state average. However, the county carries notable vulnerability to hurricanes (83.65) and tornadoes (65.62), which offset its lower flood and wildfire risk to create a mixed hazard profile.

Lower-middle tier among North Carolina counties

Montgomery County ranks in the lower-middle range of North Carolina's 100 counties, with above-average tornado risk (65.62) and exceptional hurricane vulnerability (83.65) for an inland piedmont location. The county's composite score reflects this split between inland weather threats and tropical storm exposure from the Atlantic.

Safer than Moore and Nash counties

Montgomery County's 48.95 score significantly trails Moore County (75.64) and Nash County (80.60), but outperforms neither—placing it as a moderate-risk piedmont county. The county's inland position provides some hurricane protection compared to coastal Martin County (65.46), but its tornado exposure remains a key differentiator.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are major concerns

Hurricane risk (83.65) leads Montgomery County's hazard profile despite its piedmont location, reflecting Atlantic system reach inland and the county's low elevation vulnerability to tropical rainfall. Tornado risk (65.62) ranks second and poses significant spring and early-summer threats, while flood risk (55.60) completes the top-three hazards driven by storm systems.

Secure hurricane and flood insurance coverage

Montgomery County homeowners should carry comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood endorsement, as the county's elevated hurricane (83.65) and tornado (65.62) risks make weather events common. Develop a household tornado plan, install a weather radio, and maintain your property's drainage systems to mitigate both storm and flood damages.

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.