CountyScore

Montgomery County

Virginia · VA

#85 in Virginia
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Montgomery County, Virginia

Nearly 40% above national livability median

Montgomery County's composite score of 69.6 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid livability fundamentals. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier of American counties overall.

Slightly below Virginia's average

Montgomery scores 69.6 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it just below the middle of the state's livability rankings. The county remains competitive with most Virginia peers.

Low taxes and moderate housing costs

Montgomery's tax score of 80.7 reflects an effective rate of 0.767%, while its cost score of 71.2 corresponds to a median home value of $283,600 and rent of $1,206 per month. These factors provide solid financial footing for cost-conscious households.

Incomes lag comparable areas

With a median household income of $70,769 and an income score of 29.6, Montgomery trails wealthier Virginia counties and national averages. Data gaps on schools, health, safety, and environmental risks limit a fuller livability assessment.

Good fit for budget-minded families

Montgomery County appeals to households seeking reasonable housing costs and manageable tax burdens without requiring top-tier incomes. It works best for those balancing financial pragmatism with access to a stable, predictable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost71.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.6Risk52.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.5
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

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
McDuffie County
Georgia
69.8
Median income: $54,058
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273

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 track near national norms

Montgomery's effective tax rate of 0.767% sits slightly above the national median, with a median tax of $2,174 that's 19% lower than the national median of $2,690. The county ranks near the middle nationally, offering moderate tax burden for homeowners.

Slightly above Virginia's average rate

At 0.767%, Montgomery's effective rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671%, ranking it in the higher-tax half of the state's counties. The median tax of $2,174 is 11% above Virginia's state average of $1,960.

Montgomery leads regional tax burden

Among southwestern Virginia counties, Montgomery carries one of the highest effective rates, outpaced only by similar mid-sized college towns in the region. It exceeds Middlesex (0.564%) and Nelson (0.536%), though remains below urban centers like Newport News and Norfolk.

A typical Montgomery home's annual tax

The median-valued home in Montgomery County at $283,600 produces an annual property tax of approximately $2,174. That's about $181 per month—reasonable for a county with strong schools and services.

Appeal your assessment, Montgomery homeowners

If you believe your home is overvalued on the county's books, you have the right to appeal your assessment at no cost. Many homeowners discover errors in assessed value and successfully reduce their tax burden through this simple process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Montgomery County

via CostByCounty

Montgomery rents pinch compared to nation

At 20.4%, Montgomery County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the Virginia state average (18.6%) and signals tighter affordability than the national landscape. With a median household income of $70,769—below the national median of $74,755—housing costs take a larger slice of paychecks here.

Below-average affordability statewide

Montgomery ranks in Virginia's less affordable half, with a rent-to-income ratio 1.8 points above state average and median rent $66 higher than the state median of $1,140. The combination of lower incomes and higher rents places affordability pressure on renters throughout the county.

Higher rents than most rural peers

Montgomery's $1,206 median rent significantly exceeds nearby Nelson County ($950) and Northampton County ($780), though the county offers stronger income prospects than those neighbors. Compared to Middlesex County's $1,071 rent, Montgomery renters pay roughly $135 more monthly for comparable housing.

Housing absorbs more than one-fifth of income

Renters dedicate $1,206 monthly to housing on a median income of $70,769, consuming over 20% of household earnings. Homeowners face a somewhat lighter burden at $996 monthly, or about 17% of income, reflecting the county's mixed affordability picture.

Consider lower-cost alternatives nearby

If affordability is your priority, Montgomery County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio suggests exploring nearby Nelson or Northampton counties first. However, if you need Montgomery's employment and service networks, factor the higher housing costs into your relocation budget—plan for roughly $1,200 monthly rent.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Montgomery County

via IncomeByCounty

Montgomery falls short nationally

Montgomery County's median household income of $70,769 trails the national median of $74,755 by $3,986, placing it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. Despite the gap, the county's per capita income of $36,009 suggests income is distributed across a broad population base.

Below Virginia's income standard

Montgomery's $70,769 median falls $4,188 short of Virginia's average of $74,957, ranking it in the lower-middle quartile among the state's jurisdictions. This gap signals Montgomery households earn notably less than the typical Virginia resident.

Trailing similar rural and small counties

Montgomery's $70,769 income ranks below Middlesex ($74,154) and Northumberland ($69,500), though it edges Nelson County slightly. The county sits in the middle band of its regional peer group, neither prosperous nor economically distressed.

Housing costs edge higher here

A rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% means housing takes up one-fifth of median earnings—approaching the affordability threshold. With a median home value of $283,600, many Montgomery households must budget tightly to own a home while maintaining other financial goals.

Strategic saving matters in Montgomery

Moderate incomes and higher housing costs create urgency for budgeting discipline and long-term planning in Montgomery households. Focus on reducing high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and taking advantage of any employer retirement matching to create financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Montgomery County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy exceeds national average

Montgomery residents enjoy an average life expectancy of 78.7 years, beating the U.S. average of 78.9 years by a healthy margin. Just 16.8% report poor or fair health, placing the county among Virginia's healthier communities.

Top-tier health outcomes for Virginia

At 78.7 years, Montgomery's life expectancy exceeds Virginia's 75.1-year average by 3.6 years—a significant advantage. The county's 6.1% uninsured rate beats the state average of 7.9%, indicating strong healthcare coverage for its population.

Healthcare providers far exceed regional norms

Montgomery boasts 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an exceptional 356 mental health providers per 100,000—among the highest in the state. This abundance of providers reflects a well-resourced healthcare system supporting the county's strong health outcomes.

Access and coverage work in concert

With fewer than 1 in 16 residents (6.1%) uninsured and robust provider networks across primary and mental health, Montgomery residents enjoy consistent access to care. This combination supports preventive health and early treatment of chronic conditions.

Maintain coverage with regular enrollment

If you're among Montgomery's insured residents, verify your coverage annually during open enrollment to ensure continuous protection. Visit healthcare.gov or your employer's benefits site to review options and lock in the best plan for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Montgomery County

via RiskByCounty

Montgomery faces above-average national risk

With a composite risk score of 47.52, Montgomery County rates as Relatively Low nationally but sits above most U.S. counties in overall natural disaster exposure. Your community experiences moderate risk compared to American averages.

Higher than typical Virginia county

Montgomery's 47.52 score exceeds Virginia's average of 33.27 by 42 percent, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. You face notably more natural disaster exposure than typical Virginia communities.

Regional risk stands notably elevated

At 47.52, Montgomery significantly outpaces nearby Nelson County (34.10) and Northumberland County (39.98), but remains lower than Northampton County (44.47) and well below Newport News (72.23). Your position reflects the Blue Ridge region's seismic and topographic exposure.

Earthquake and flood pose greatest threats

Earthquake risk reaches 73.41—Virginia's highest and among the nation's most notable inland seismic zones—while flood risk stands at 63.61. Tornado (23.70), hurricane (57.11), and wildfire (36.96) threats remain secondary but still merit attention.

Earthquake insurance is non-negotiable

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, but Montgomery's 73.41 seismic score makes separate coverage critical for your county. Bundle flood insurance, secure heavy furniture and appliances, and check that your home's foundation meets modern seismic building standards.

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.