CountyScore

Montgomery County

Ohio · OH

#86 in Ohio
57.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Ohio

Montgomery outpaces national average

Montgomery County scores 60.1 on the CountyScore composite index, 20% above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the 60th percentile nationally, putting it in the upper half of U.S. counties despite significant income challenges.

Slightly below Ohio's average

At 60.1, Montgomery scores 8.7 points below Ohio's state average of 68.8, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 88 counties. The gap reflects a mix of strengths in housing affordability offset by weaker income levels.

Housing affordability leads the way

Montgomery's Cost Score of 74.7 demonstrates solid housing affordability, with median home values at $167,400 and gross rents averaging $968/month. The county's effective tax rate of 1.777% remains reasonable, supporting its overall livability profile.

Income remains a significant constraint

The county's Income Score of just 25.4 is notably weak, with median household income at $64,403—well below Ohio's average. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting a fuller assessment of quality of life.

Best for budget-conscious, urban-focused families

Montgomery County suits working families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and reasonable taxes over high incomes. The county offers solid baseline livability for those with employment elsewhere or seeking cost-effective urban access.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.3Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth67.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk7.3WaterComing Soon
🏛52.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.3
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

Plymouth County
Massachusetts
57.6
Median income: $109,698
Liberty County
Texas
57.6
Median income: $64,773
Snohomish County
Washington
57.6
Median income: $107,982
San Joaquin County
California
57.7
Median income: $88,531
Dougherty County
Georgia
57.7
Median income: $46,784

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 run high nationally

Montgomery County's effective tax rate of 1.777% sits well above the national median of 1.08%, placing it in roughly the top 25% of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,975 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—about 10% more despite homes valued 41% lower than the national average of $281,900.

Highest-taxed county in Ohio

Montgomery County claims the highest effective tax rate in the state at 1.777%, compared to Ohio's average of 1.148%. Its median tax bill of $2,975 exceeds the state median of $2,145 by 39%, making it a clear outlier among Ohio's 88 counties.

Significantly higher than regional peers

Montgomery's 1.777% rate towers over neighboring counties: Morgan County pays 0.906%, Muskingum County 0.946%, and Perry County 0.929%. In concrete terms, Montgomery homeowners pay roughly $1,300–$1,800 more annually than their neighbors in adjacent counties with similar home values.

What Montgomery homeowners actually pay

On a median home valued at $167,400, the annual property tax bill runs $2,975—or about $248 monthly. Homeowners with a mortgage may see an additional escrow amount of $3,192, while those paying cash typically remit $2,668 to the county.

You might be overassessed

Many Montgomery County homeowners are paying more than they should; assessments sometimes lag market values or contain errors. If your home's assessed value seems out of line with recent sales nearby, filing an appeal with the county auditor's office could lower your tax bill at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery: Above the National Affordability Line

Renters in Montgomery County spend 18.0% of their income on rent, slightly above the national benchmark of 15% but reflecting the county's median household income of $64,403—about 14% below the national average of $74,755. While housing costs are higher here than in many rural Ohio counties, they remain more accessible than in coastal metros where rent-to-income ratios often exceed 25%.

Montgomery Ranks Mid-Pack in Ohio

At 18.0%, Montgomery's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Ohio's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the less affordable half of the state's counties. The median rent of $968 per month also runs $95 above the state median, a difference driven by Montgomery's size and economic activity as a mid-sized urban county.

Pricier Than Rural Neighbors

Montgomery's $968 median rent substantially outpaces nearby rural counties like Morrow ($942) and Muskingum ($811), though homeownership costs are comparable—Montgomery's median owner cost of $1,064 sits between Morrow's $1,097 and Muskingum's $888. The trade-off reflects Montgomery's denser job market and urban amenities, drawing higher rental demand.

Housing Absorbs Nearly One-Fifth of Income

For renters, the $968 monthly rent consumes roughly 18% of the median household income, while homeowners allocate about 20% of income toward their $1,064 monthly owner cost. Together, these figures reveal that housing remains the largest single expense for most Montgomery County households, leaving limited discretionary income for other necessities.

Consider Montgomery for Urban Amenities

If you're relocating to Ohio, Montgomery offers more jobs and services than rural counties but at a measurable affordability cost. Renters prioritizing walkability and employment options should compare Montgomery's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio against more rural options like Paulding (13.2%) or Perry (13.5%), where housing is cheaper but opportunities are fewer.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery trails national income benchmark

Montgomery County's median household income of $64,403 sits $10,352 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it below the national average. However, the county's per capita income of $37,320 exceeds Ohio's state average of $35,642, showing solid individual earning power across the county.

Middle tier earner among Ohio counties

At $64,403, Montgomery County ranks in the middle range for Ohio household income, slightly below the state average of $68,101. The county's median income reflects a diverse economic base anchored by its urban center in Dayton.

Competitive within regional peers

Montgomery's $64,403 median income outpaces nearby Morgan County ($55,971) and Noble County ($55,360), but trails neighboring Morrow County ($71,047) and Paulding County ($68,167). The variation across the region reflects different economic structures and job availability in surrounding areas.

Rents consume modest portion of income

Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio of 18% is reasonable, meaning renters spend roughly that share of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $167,400 and solid household incomes, homeownership remains accessible for many county residents.

Build long-term wealth in Montgomery

With a per capita income of $37,320 and manageable housing costs, Montgomery County residents have room to invest. Consider working with a local financial advisor to develop a retirement strategy and explore investment vehicles suited to your income level and goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Montgomery: Living Below the National Average

At 73.3 years, Montgomery County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by three years. One in five residents (20.3%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 17.8%, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.

The Fifth-Largest City, Below-Average Health

Montgomery ranks below Ohio's state average life expectancy of 74.8 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's 88 counties. The county's uninsured rate matches the state average at 7.5%, though health outcomes suggest deeper structural issues beyond coverage alone.

Dayton's Health Gap vs. Rural Peers

Montgomery's 73.3-year life expectancy falls short of nearby Muskingum County (74.4 years) and significantly trails Paulding County (76.9 years) and Ottawa County (76.6 years). Despite being Ohio's second-largest metro area, Montgomery residents face mortality rates comparable to counties with far smaller populations.

Good Access, But Health Persists

Montgomery maintains strong provider infrastructure with 95 primary care providers and 402 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—well above rural county averages. Yet abundant access hasn't translated to better health outcomes, suggesting that availability alone doesn't address underlying chronic disease, poverty, and behavioral health challenges.

Check Your Coverage Today

With 7.5% of Montgomery residents uninsured, thousands lack basic health protection. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, and employer coverage options—the first step toward preventive care and chronic disease management.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery ranks well above average

Montgomery County's composite risk score of 92.65 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category—significantly higher than the U.S. average. This means residents face greater exposure to multiple hazards compared to most American counties, particularly from flooding and tornadoes.

The highest-risk county in Ohio

Montgomery County's composite score of 92.65 far exceeds Ohio's state average of 55.03, making it the state's most disaster-prone county by a substantial margin. This elevated risk reflects the county's vulnerability across multiple hazard types, particularly floods and tornadoes.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Montgomery County's 92.65 score dwarfs neighboring Muskingum County (70.93) and Ottawa County (59.16), both of which also exceed the state average but remain far safer. This concentration of risk makes Montgomery County a regional outlier for disaster preparedness.

Floods and tornadoes dominate locally

Flood risk scores 95.52, the county's highest hazard rating and a critical concern for residents near waterways and low-lying areas. Tornado risk ranks nearly as high at 92.62, making severe weather response and shelter planning essential year-round preparations.

Flood and wind insurance essential here

With flood and tornado risks both exceeding 90, standard homeowners insurance alone is insufficient—flooding is typically excluded from standard policies. Residents should secure separate flood insurance and verify windstorm coverage, then review and update policies annually given the county's persistent dual threats.

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.