Richland Beats National Livability Benchmark Decisively
Richland County's composite score of 71.5 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 43% of American counties. This positions Richland as a genuinely livable community by national standards.
2 / 5
Nearly Matches Montana's State Average Performance
Richland scores 71.5 against Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it right at the heart of the state's county rankings. It represents a balanced, fairly typical Montana living experience.
3 / 5
Housing Affordability and Low Taxes Rule Here
Richland shines with a cost score of 80.3 and median home value of just $259,000—the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a tax score of 81.3 and effective tax rate of 0.747%, it offers exceptional financial efficiency.
4 / 5
Income Growth Lags Behind Housing Gains
Median household income stands at $69,578 with an income score of 28.8, lagging the cost advantages the county offers. Economic opportunity remains limited, which may challenge career advancement for younger professionals.
5 / 5
Perfect for Budget-Conscious Families and Retirees
Richland is ideal for families prioritizing housing affordability and low tax burden over wage growth, and for retirees on fixed incomes. Those seeking rural Montana life with minimal financial stress will find strong value here.
Richland Beats National Livability Benchmark Decisively
Richland County's composite score of 71.5 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 43% of American counties. This positions Richland as a genuinely livable community by national standards.
Nearly Matches Montana's State Average Performance
Richland scores 71.5 against Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it right at the heart of the state's county rankings. It represents a balanced, fairly typical Montana living experience.
Housing Affordability and Low Taxes Rule Here
Richland shines with a cost score of 80.3 and median home value of just $259,000—the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a tax score of 81.3 and effective tax rate of 0.747%, it offers exceptional financial efficiency.
Income Growth Lags Behind Housing Gains
Median household income stands at $69,578 with an income score of 28.8, lagging the cost advantages the county offers. Economic opportunity remains limited, which may challenge career advancement for younger professionals.
Perfect for Budget-Conscious Families and Retirees
Richland is ideal for families prioritizing housing affordability and low tax burden over wage growth, and for retirees on fixed incomes. Those seeking rural Montana life with minimal financial stress will find strong value here.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Richland's effective tax rate of 0.747% sits slightly below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $1,935 is notably lower than the national median of $2,690, even though homes here are worth $259,000.
Right at Montana's average rate
Richland's 0.747% effective rate nearly matches Montana's state average of 0.767%, making it a middle-ground county by local standards. This means Richland homeowners pay fairly typical property taxes compared to other Montanans.
More affordable than eastern peers
Richland's rate of 0.747% beats Roosevelt County (1.286%) and Sheridan County (1.287%), the eastern tier's highest-taxed counties, by nearly 40%. It also undercuts Silver Bow County (1.055%) significantly.
What $259K home costs in taxes
A median Richland home valued at $259,000 carries an annual tax bill of approximately $1,935. With a mortgage, expect $2,297; without, closer to $1,669.
Assessment appeals still pay off
Even at typical rates, Richland homeowners often discover their homes are assessed above fair market value. Filing a no-cost appeal can unlock substantial savings year after year.
Richland stays below national affordability strain
Richland County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national benchmark of around 15.9%, making it one of Montana's more affordable rental markets. With a median household income of $69,578 and median rent of $866, households here maintain breathing room in housing budgets.
Montana's sweet spot for affordability
Richland ranks among Montana's most affordable counties, with its 14.9% rent-to-income ratio undercutting the state average of 15.9% by a full percentage point. Median rent matches the state average exactly at $825, offering solid stability for renters.
Competitive with northeastern Montana peers
Richland's $866 monthly rent positions it slightly above neighboring Roosevelt County ($707) but below Sheridan County ($749). As an agricultural hub in the northeast, Richland offers moderate housing costs aligned with the region's rural character.
Richland's balanced housing economics
Renters allocate 14.9% of a $69,578 median income—or $866 monthly—to housing costs. Homeowners carry a $825 monthly payment for a median home value of $259,000, making both rental and ownership accessible compared to state and national benchmarks.
A stable choice for budget-conscious movers
Richland offers rare affordability equilibrium: rents match the state average while rent-to-income ratios beat it. If you're relocating to Montana and prioritizing stable, sustainable housing costs, Richland's northeastern location and balanced economics merit serious consideration.
Richland County's median household income of $69,578 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just 7%, positioning it comfortably above the bottom half of American counties. The county maintains solid earning power despite rural Montana's economic headwinds.
Upper-middle tier in Montana
Richland's $69,578 median income ranks well above Montana's state average of $62,295—an 11.7% premium that reflects a stable, agriculture-based local economy. The county consistently outperforms most Montana peers.
Among the strongest in northeast Montana
Richland's $69,578 exceeds Roosevelt County ($53,125) by $16,453 and Sanders County ($54,035) by $15,543. Only Ravalli County ($71,323) and Stillwater County ($81,503) surpass Richland's earning capacity in this analysis.
Rent easily fits the budget
At 14.9%, Richland's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Montana's best—well below the 30% affordability threshold and significantly lower than Ravalli's 17.7%. Housing costs consume just over one-seventh of median income, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses.
Richland's affordability enables wealth-building
Low housing costs relative to income create genuine opportunity to save and invest in Richland County. With rents taking just 15% of earnings, households have flexibility to fund retirement accounts, build emergency reserves, or pursue property ownership.
Richland County's life expectancy of 76.2 years sits near the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while its 15% poor/fair health rate falls between national (17%) and state averages. This suggests Richland residents experience middling health outcomes compared to the broader country.
Just below Montana's average lifespan
Richland County's 76.2-year life expectancy trails Montana's 76.3-year average by just 0.1 years, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier. At 9.8% uninsured—well below the 11.9% state average—the county has better insurance coverage than most of Montana.
Primary care access is a local challenge
With only 27 primary care providers per 100K, Richland faces one of the lowest provider densities in rural Montana, comparable to Sheridan County's 28 per 100K. Mental health providers at 143 per 100K also lag significantly behind better-resourced neighbors like Ravalli (262 per 100K) and Sanders (278 per 100K).
Good insurance rates, tight provider network
Richland's 9.8% uninsured rate is a strength, but residents may face longer wait times or travel for primary care given the county's 27 providers per 100K. For mental health needs, access is particularly limited compared to neighboring counties.
Secure coverage before you need it
Though Richland has strong insurance enrollment, the 9.8% uninsured rate means some residents still lack coverage. Head to Healthcare.gov to explore affordable options and ensure your family is protected.
Richland County's composite risk score of 52.70 exceeds typical U.S. exposure levels, though its Relatively Low rating indicates manageable overall hazard. The county faces moderate wildfire and tornado risks balanced against lower earthquake exposure.
Moderate risk in Montana context
Richland scores 52.70 against Montana's state average of 33.31, placing it in the mid-range of county risk profiles. This reflects greater-than-average wildfire and tornado vulnerability compared to most state peers.
Comparable to neighboring Roosevelt
Richland (52.70) and Roosevelt County (54.45) show similar overall risk profiles, both driven by wildfire hazard. Richland's tornado risk of 27.00 is notably lower than Roosevelt's 32.09, while earthquake exposure remains minimal in both.
Wildfire and tornado shape exposure
Wildfire risk at 54.99 and tornado risk at 27.00 are Richland's primary concerns, together accounting for most hazard exposure. Flood risk of 25.06 and earthquake risk of 8.37 present secondary considerations.
Cover wildfire, hail, and wind
Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and hail damage from tornadoes, but wildfire coverage requires verification or a separate policy rider. Confirm your replacement-cost limits are adequate for your area's construction costs.