CountyScore

Phillips County

Montana · MT

#21 in Montana
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Phillips County, Montana

Strong Livability, Well Above National Median

Phillips County scores 73.9 on the livability index, nearly 48% above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance reflects particular strength in housing affordability and cost-of-living metrics.

Competitive Statewide Ranking

At 73.9, Phillips County ranks slightly above Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it in the upper half of the state's counties. The performance is driven by exceptional housing affordability and reasonable cost structures.

Extremely Affordable Housing

Phillips County features the highest cost score of 88.4 among these eight counties, with rents at just $623/month and median home values of $175,000. This exceptional affordability provides maximum financial flexibility for budget-conscious households.

Income and Health Gaps

The income score of 21.4 (median $58,156) and health score of 70.2 are both below county norms, suggesting limited earning potential and health care challenges. These gaps require trade-offs between low costs and access to higher incomes or advanced medical services.

Ideal for Budget-First Families

Phillips County attracts families and retirees prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and minimal expenses over income potential or medical specialization. The county works best for those with existing financial security or remote income sources seeking maximum purchasing power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost88.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk65.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.5
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 Phillips County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Las Animas County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $50,408
Phillips County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $60,372
Blackford County
Indiana
73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
Iowa
73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
Kentucky
73.9
Median income: $59,029

Deep Dives

Phillips County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Phillips County

via TaxByCounty

Phillips County taxes well above national norm

Phillips County's effective rate of 0.848% exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,484 remains below the national median of $2,690, largely due to lower home values in this rural region.

Among Montana's higher tax counties

At 0.848%, Phillips County's effective rate ranks above the Montana state average of 0.767%, making it one of the higher-taxed counties in the state. Only a handful of Montana counties exceed this rate.

Higher burden than most regional peers

Phillips County's 0.848% rate tops most neighboring counties, exceeding Petroleum (0.726%), Pondera (0.884%), and Prairie (0.855%). Only Pondera comes close, making Phillips one of the pricier taxation jurisdictions in north-central Montana.

Median home costs $1,484 annually

A home valued at Phillips County's median of $175,000 generates approximately $1,484 in annual property taxes at the 0.848% rate. Mortgage holders typically pay $1,915, while owners without mortgages pay $1,297.

Assessment errors cost you money

Phillips County's higher-than-average tax rate makes assessment accuracy even more critical to your bottom line. Review your assessed value against recent neighbor sales; if it's out of line, filing an appeal with the county assessor could yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phillips County

via CostByCounty

Phillips County offers Montana's best rental value

Phillips County's rent-to-income ratio of just 12.9% ranks among the nation's most affordable, well below the national average and even below Montana's 15.9% state standard. At only $623 monthly, rents here demand just 12.9% of the median household income of $58,156, creating exceptional housing accessibility.

Standout affordability leader across Montana

Phillips County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this analysis at 12.9%, undercutting Montana's state average of 15.9% by 3 percentage points. The median rent of $623 runs a remarkable 24.5% below the state median of $825, marking Phillips as a true affordability outlier.

Unmatched rental bargains in north-central Montana

Phillips County's $623 median rent stands $146 below Petroleum County ($769), $242 below Musselshell County ($865), and $304 below Park County ($927). At 12.9% of income, Phillips County renters enjoy the lowest housing burden of any county in this regional cluster.

Both renters and owners find relief here

Phillips County renters pay just $623 monthly (12.9% of income), while homeowners spend $589 monthly (12.1% of income)—both figures substantially below state and national norms. This county achieves the rare distinction of making housing affordable for both renting and owning households.

Phillips County: rural Montana's affordability champion

For renters prioritizing maximum housing affordability, Phillips County's $623 rents and 12.9% income ratio are unmatched in this region. With median home values at $175,000 and ownership costs under $600 monthly, Phillips County delivers genuine financial breathing room for families considering a Montana relocation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phillips County

via IncomeByCounty

Phillips lags but remains stable nationally

Phillips County's median household income of $58,156 sits 22% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income tier of American counties. The per capita income of $34,241 falls slightly below the national per capita average, reflecting limited economic diversification in this rural area. Despite these gaps, the county maintains relatively stable employment patterns.

Lower-middle tier within Montana

Phillips County ranks in Montana's lower-middle range with a median household income of $58,156, trailing the state average of $62,295 by 6.6%. The per capita income of $34,241 notably underperforms the state average of $35,700, indicating narrower household wealth distribution. The county sits at the margin of economic challenge in Montana's rural landscape.

North-central Montana's lower end

Phillips' $58,156 median income sits slightly below neighbors Musselshell ($59,010) and Petroleum ($59,318), making it the weaker performer in its economic cluster. Only Pondera County ($53,500) ranks notably lower in the region, while Powder River County ($68,009) significantly outearns the area. The county's ranching and agricultural base limits higher-wage employment opportunities.

Most affordable housing in the region

Phillips County's median home value of $175,000 represents just 3 years of median household income—the most favorable affordability ratio among its neighbors. The 12.9% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in the region, providing genuine housing security at all income levels. This affordability advantage is the county's primary economic strength for working families.

Maximize affordability advantages now

Phillips County residents should treat the county's exceptional housing affordability as a wealth-building window; building home equity here happens faster than in most of America. Even modest income households can allocate 15% to retirement savings when rent or mortgage costs stay below 13% of income. Reinvest housing savings into education, business skills, or small-business ventures to increase earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Phillips County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below national average

Phillips County residents live an average of 75.0 years, nearly 4 years shorter than the US average of 78.8 years and well below Montana's 76.3 years. The county's 15.6% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national average of 16%, but combined with lower life expectancy, suggests underlying health challenges.

One of Montana's shortest life spans

At 75.0 years, Phillips County ranks among the lowest for life expectancy in Montana, nearly 1.3 years below the state average. Its 15.6% poor/fair health rate is roughly average for the state, but the combination of shorter lifespan and moderate health concerns warrants focused public health attention.

Shortest lifespan in immediate region

Phillips County's 75.0-year life expectancy trails all measured neighbors, including Musselshell (76.2), Powell (75.8), and Petroleum (regional peer). The county's 24 primary care providers per 100K falls below Park County's 109 but slightly exceeds Musselshell's 20 per 100K.

Moderate uninsured rate, limited providers

Phillips County's uninsured rate of 10.6% sits just below Montana's 11.9% average, meaning roughly 1 in 9 residents lack coverage. With only 24 primary care providers per 100K, residents often face barriers to routine preventive care that might improve long-term health outcomes.

Get covered and stay healthy

If you're uninsured in Phillips County, Healthcare.gov can help you find affordable plans and available subsidies. Getting coverage is the first step toward preventive care—use your local providers to tackle health issues early.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phillips County

via RiskByCounty

Phillips County risk mirrors national norms

Phillips County's composite risk score of 34.51 ranks as Very Low and aligns closely with typical U.S. communities. The county's exposure profile is moderate compared to national averages, representing manageable disaster risk.

Slightly above Montana's average exposure

Phillips County's score of 34.51 exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31 by just 3%, placing it near the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county represents typical Montana-level hazard exposure for most communities.

Moderate risk in its region

Phillips County's score of 34.51 falls between Musselshell County (17.05) to the south and the higher-risk mountainous counties. It ranks more hazardous than Petroleum County (1.30) but considerably safer than Park County (66.28).

Flooding and wildfire create primary hazards

Phillips County faces moderate flood risk (39.76) and elevated wildfire risk (67.75), while tornado (7.76) and earthquake (15.08) risks remain low. The county's river valleys and grasslands create twin vulnerabilities during wet and fire seasons.

Standard coverage with wildfire attention

Homeowners should verify flood and wildfire coverage within their policies, particularly for properties near waterways or grassland margins. Review coverage before spring runoff and fire season to ensure adequate protection for both hazards.

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.