Sanders Ranks Among America's Most Livable Counties
Sanders County's composite score of 71.7 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 44% of U.S. counties. This reflects a community with genuine livability strengths across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Matches Montana's State County Average Almost Exactly
Sanders scores 71.7 against Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it right in the heart of Montana's county performance distribution. It represents a balanced, typical Montana livability experience.
3 / 5
Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability Lead the Way
Sanders boasts a tax score of 86.8 with an effective rate of 0.549% and a cost score of 84.6 featuring median rent of just $774. These financial advantages create genuine economic relief for households.
4 / 5
Limited Income Growth and Moderate Health Care Availability
Median household income stands at $54,035 with an income score of 18.7, among the lowest in this cohort, while health care access scores at 63.3. Economic opportunity for career growth remains constrained by limited local employment diversity.
5 / 5
Ideal for Tax-Focused Retirees and Remote Workers
Sanders suits retirees seeking minimal tax burden and affordable housing, and professionals with independent income sources unaffected by local job markets. Those planning to advance careers through local employment should consider the limited wage growth potential.
Sanders Ranks Among America's Most Livable Counties
Sanders County's composite score of 71.7 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 44% of U.S. counties. This reflects a community with genuine livability strengths across multiple dimensions.
Matches Montana's State County Average Almost Exactly
Sanders scores 71.7 against Montana's state average of 72.1, placing it right in the heart of Montana's county performance distribution. It represents a balanced, typical Montana livability experience.
Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability Lead the Way
Sanders boasts a tax score of 86.8 with an effective rate of 0.549% and a cost score of 84.6 featuring median rent of just $774. These financial advantages create genuine economic relief for households.
Limited Income Growth and Moderate Health Care Availability
Median household income stands at $54,035 with an income score of 18.7, among the lowest in this cohort, while health care access scores at 63.3. Economic opportunity for career growth remains constrained by limited local employment diversity.
Ideal for Tax-Focused Retirees and Remote Workers
Sanders suits retirees seeking minimal tax burden and affordable housing, and professionals with independent income sources unaffected by local job markets. Those planning to advance careers through local employment should consider the limited wage growth potential.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Sanders County's effective tax rate of 0.549% runs 35% below the national median of 0.84%, placing it comfortably in the nation's bottom quartile. The median property tax of $1,777 is 34% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Montana's second-lowest tax burden
Sanders ranks as one of Montana's most tax-friendly counties at 0.549%, second only to Ravalli's 0.529%. This puts Sanders homeowners at a 28% advantage versus the state average of 0.767%.
Western Montana's bargain county
Sanders' 0.549% rate barely edges above Ravalli (0.529%) but significantly undercuts Stillwater (0.599%) and all eastern Montana counties. For western Montanans, Sanders offers some of the best tax value.
What $324K home costs in taxes
A median Sanders home valued at $323,800 carries an annual tax bill of approximately $1,777. With a mortgage, expect $1,788; without, roughly $1,769.
Low rates still allow for savings
Sanders' favorable rates don't mean assessments are always accurate—many homeowners here are still overvalued relative to market comparables. A property tax appeal takes minutes to file and costs nothing.
Sanders County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average by more than 1 percentage point, despite a median household income below the national figure. At $774 monthly rent on $54,035 median income, Sanders renters experience above-average affordability strain.
Among Montana's least affordable counties
Sanders ranks among Montana's most burdened renters, with a 17.2% rent-to-income ratio topping the state average of 15.9% by 1.3 points. Median rent of $774 falls below the state average, but low household incomes amplify the affordability pressure.
High-cost housing with lower incomes
Sanders' $774 rent is moderate compared to Ravalli ($1,054) but higher than Rosebud ($644) and Roosevelt ($707). Combined with the county's relatively low $54,035 median income, Sanders residents face proportionally steeper housing burdens than nearby alternatives.
Sanders income stretched by housing costs
The typical Sanders renter spends 17.2% of a $54,035 annual income—$774 monthly—on housing. Homeowners face steeper burdens, with median owner costs of $655 monthly consuming 14.5% of household income despite more affordable median home values of $323,800.
Consider income potential when relocating
Sanders County offers moderate housing costs but demands careful budget planning given its lower median income of $54,035. If relocating here, verify stable employment that exceeds county averages, or explore more affordable alternatives like Rosebud or Roosevelt.
Sanders County's median household income of $54,035 is 27.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it among America's lower-earning rural counties. The gap reflects economic constraints common to remote northwestern Montana.
Among Montana's lower earners
Sanders County's $54,035 falls 13.3% short of Montana's state average of $62,295, placing it in the lower third of the state's county rankings. The shortfall reflects limited employment options and smaller population base.
Sanders ranks near the bottom
Sanders County's $54,035 is second-lowest in this group, edging only Roosevelt County ($53,125) and falling nearly $18,000 behind Richland County. The county faces similar economic headwinds as other remote Montana communities.
Housing affordability varies with tenure
Sanders' rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds the safe threshold for renters, consuming more than one-sixth of income toward housing costs. However, the median home value of $323,800 relative to household income of $54,035 poses serious barriers to homeownership—a challenge other Montana counties avoid.
Sanders residents need intentional planning
With moderate incomes and elevated housing costs, Sanders households benefit from a clear financial strategy that prioritizes savings before major purchases. Working with a financial advisor to manage debt, build emergency reserves, and plan for retirement can mitigate economic volatility.
Sanders County residents live 75 years on average—1.4 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 17.1% reporting poor or fair health, the county slightly outperforms the national average of 17%, suggesting mixed outcomes relative to the country as a whole.
Below-average health, high uninsured rates
Sanders County's 75-year life expectancy trails Montana's 76.3-year average, and its 16.5% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 11.9%. This combination suggests healthcare access barriers play a real role in the county's health challenges.
Provider access doesn't solve coverage gaps
Sanders boasts strong primary care availability at 77 providers per 100K—among Montana's best—and excellent mental health support at 278 per 100K. Yet its 16.5% uninsured rate remains the highest among neighboring counties, suggesting financial barriers limit care access despite provider availability.
Insurance gaps undermine provider strength
With 16.5% of Sanders County uninsured, more than 1 in 6 residents face barriers accessing the county's robust provider network of 77 primary care and 278 mental health providers per 100K. Expanding insurance coverage could unlock better health outcomes from existing healthcare resources.
Close the coverage gap now
Sanders County's 16.5% uninsured rate is the state's highest—but coverage is within reach. Visit Healthcare.gov today to explore affordable plans and join the majority of your neighbors with insurance protection.
Sanders County's composite risk of 47.36 exceeds typical national exposure, carrying a Relatively Low rating. The county faces substantial wildfire and earthquake hazards that balance against low tornado risk.
Moderate risk for Montana
Sanders scores 47.36 versus Montana's average of 33.31, indicating above-average hazard exposure statewide. The county's profile reflects significant wildfire and earthquake vulnerability.
Comparable to other valley counties
Sanders (47.36) shows similar overall risk to Rosebud County (49.71) but notably lower scores than Ravalli County (78.47). The county's 61.86 flood risk is the highest in its region, reflecting river and drainage patterns.
Wildfire, flood, and earthquake combine
Wildfire risk of 91.19, flood risk of 61.86, and earthquake risk of 67.91 represent Sanders' triple hazard exposure. Tornado risk remains minimal at 4.71, making it the county's least significant natural disaster threat.
Triple coverage: wildfire, flood, quake
Standard homeowners insurance excludes both wildfire and earthquake damage; you'll need separate policies or endorsements for both. Flood insurance is also essential if your property lies in or near a mapped flood zone—verify your zone and coverage limits annually.