CountyScore

Ravalli County

Montana · MT

#41 in Montana
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Ravalli County, Montana

Ravalli Scores Well Above the National Median

With a composite score of 69.1, Ravalli County ranks significantly above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 38% of U.S. counties. This score reflects a livability profile that outperforms most American communities across multiple dimensions.

Just Below Montana's County Average

Ravalli scores 69.1 compared to Montana's state average of 72.1, ranking it solidly in the middle of the state's county cohort. While slightly below the state mean, it remains a competitive choice within Montana.

Tax Efficiency and Health Care Stand Out

Ravalli excels in tax burden with a score of 87.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.529%, among Montana's lowest. Health care and quality of life also rank strong at 74.4, supporting a balanced lifestyle for residents.

Income Levels Trail Economic Growth

With a median household income of $71,323 and an income score of just 29.9, Ravalli faces a notable earnings gap relative to housing costs. The median home value of $435,000 outpaces local wage growth, creating affordability pressures for younger and working-class households.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Retirees and Professionals

Ravalli suits retirees seeking low tax burden and access to quality health care, as well as remote workers with stable outside income. Those relocating with established careers or retirement savings will find the strong tax efficiency and health services particularly attractive.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.4Cost73.1SafetyComing SoonHealth74.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.9Risk21.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.5
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 Ravalli County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Ravalli County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ravalli County

via TaxByCounty

Ravalli taxes run low nationally

At 0.529%, Ravalli's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.84%, placing the county in the bottom third of U.S. counties by burden. The median property tax here is $2,303, actually lower than the national median of $2,690 despite homes being worth $435,000—well above the U.S. median of $281,900.

Montana's lightest tax burden

Ravalli ranks among the lowest-taxed counties in Montana, with an effective rate of 0.529% compared to the state average of 0.767%. This means Ravalli homeowners save roughly 31% on tax rates compared to other Montanans.

Lowest rate in Western Montana

Ravalli's 0.529% rate beats neighboring Sanders County (0.549%) and beats more distant Stillwater County (0.599%) by a meaningful margin. Among comparable mountain counties, Ravalli offers some of the most tax-friendly conditions for homeowners.

What $435K home costs in taxes

A median-valued Ravalli home at $435,000 generates roughly $2,303 in annual property taxes. If you carry a mortgage, you'll likely pay $2,361; without one, expect $2,202.

Even low assessments can be wrong

Even in low-tax Ravalli, many homeowners are overassessed relative to recent sale prices. A property tax appeal costs nothing to file and can cut years of overpayment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ravalli County

via CostByCounty

Ravalli's rent pinch vs. the nation

Ravalli County residents spend 17.7% of household income on rent, nearly 2 percentage points above the national average of around 15.9%. With a median household income of $71,323—slightly below the national median of $74,755—renters here face tighter housing budgets than most Americans.

Among Montana counties, less affordable

Ravalli's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Montana's less affordable counties, above the state average of 15.9%. At $1,054 monthly rent versus the state median of $825, Ravalli's housing costs significantly outpace rural county peers.

Pricier than Missoula area rivals

Ravalli renters pay $1,054 monthly—$229 more than neighboring Rosebud County and $186 more than Sanders County. Only Stillwater County to the northeast shows comparable rental costs, suggesting Ravalli occupies a unique affordability zone in southwestern Montana.

Where Ravalli income goes to housing

A typical Ravalli renter spends 17.7% of $71,323 annual income on rent alone—$1,054 monthly. Homeowners fare better proportionally, with a median monthly cost of $1,065 capturing about 17.9% of household income, while median home values reach $435,000.

Consider your housing priorities here

If you're weighing Ravalli's higher rent and home prices against Montana alternatives, nearby Rosebud ($644 rent) and Sheridan ($749 rent) counties offer significantly lower housing costs. Stillwater County ($81,503 median income) provides the highest earning potential in this region, offsetting higher ownership costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ravalli County

via IncomeByCounty

Ravalli earns above the national average

Ravalli County's median household income of $71,323 sits just 4.6% below the U.S. median of $74,755, putting it in solid middle-income territory nationwide. This strong position reflects a prosperous local economy relative to most American counties.

Top earners in Montana

At $71,323, Ravalli's median household income ranks among Montana's strongest, running 14.5% above the state average of $62,295. This premium reflects the county's mix of professional services, outdoor tourism, and remote-work professionals.

Ravalli leads its regional peers

Ravalli outearns neighboring Roosevelt County ($53,125) by $18,198 and exceeds Rosebud County ($56,430) by nearly $15,000. Only Stillwater County ($81,503) in this region commands higher household incomes.

Housing remains affordable here

Ravalli's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% is comfortably below the 30% threshold for housing affordability, meaning renters spend less than one-fifth of income on housing costs. With a median home value of $435,000, homeownership requires serious commitment, but the strong income base makes it achievable.

Build on Ravalli's income strength

With household incomes outpacing national norms, Ravalli residents have real capacity to invest beyond housing and basic expenses. Starting a retirement plan, diversifying into stocks or property, or launching a small business becomes feasible when household earnings exceed $71,000.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ravalli County

via HealthByCounty

Ravalli outpaces nation on lifespan

At 78.9 years, Ravalli County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 13.1% poor/fair health rate sits well below the national average of 17%, suggesting residents here experience better overall health outcomes than most Americans.

Top health ranking in Montana

Ravalli County ranks among Montana's healthiest with a life expectancy 2.6 years above the state average of 76.3 years. Its uninsured rate of 11.9% matches the state average exactly, meaning health insurance access isn't a notable barrier here.

Rural strengths with solid provider access

Ravalli's 61 primary care providers per 100K population outpaces many rural Montana neighbors like Richland (27 per 100K) and Sheridan (28 per 100K). With 262 mental health providers per 100K, the county offers significantly more behavioral health support than most neighboring counties.

Healthcare here is relatively accessible

With an 11.9% uninsured rate and robust provider availability, most Ravalli County residents can access care without major barriers. The combination of above-state-average life expectancy and reasonable provider density suggests healthcare infrastructure serves this community effectively.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among the 11.9% of Ravalli County residents without insurance, you have options. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore plans that fit your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ravalli County

via RiskByCounty

Ravalli's risk exceeds U.S. average

Ravalli County scores 78.47 on the composite risk scale, placing it well above the national average and earning a Relatively Low rating. The county's wildfire hazard dominates its profile, while earthquake risk remains substantial at 69.34.

Among Montana's higher-risk counties

Ravalli ranks significantly above Montana's average composite risk of 33.31, making it one of the state's more exposed counties. This elevation is driven primarily by extreme wildfire vulnerability rather than multihazard exposure.

Highest risk in southwestern cluster

Ravalli's score of 78.47 substantially exceeds neighboring Sanders County (47.36) and Silver Bow County (38.04). Its wildfire risk of 98.89 is among the most severe in this region, reflecting the county's forested terrain and climate.

Wildfire is your dominant threat

Wildfire risk stands at 98.89—an extreme exposure that dwarfs other hazards and reflects Ravalli's position in Montana's wildland-urban interface. Earthquake risk at 69.34 poses a secondary concern, while tornado risk remains minimal at 9.10.

Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage

Homeowners should verify that their policies include wildfire damage and ensure adequate replacement-cost coverage given seismic risk. Consider defensible space maintenance and a home hardening assessment as critical first steps beyond insurance.

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.