Stillwater Ranks Among America's Most Livable Places
Stillwater County's composite score of 75.0 decisively exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 50% of U.S. counties. This represents genuine livability strength comparable to the nation's best communities.
2 / 5
Leads Montana's County Livability Rankings
Stillwater scores 75.0 versus Montana's state average of 72.1, ranking as the strongest performer among all eight counties examined. This leadership position reflects balanced excellence across multiple dimensions.
3 / 5
Income, Tax Efficiency, and Health Care All Excel
Stillwater leads this group with median household income of $81,503 and income score of 36.6, a tax score of 85.4 with effective rate of 0.599%, and health score of 76.7. This trio of strengths creates rare economic and health security.
4 / 5
Housing Costs Rising Relative to Regional Peers
Median home value of $355,600 and cost score of 73.6 reflect increasing affordability pressures compared to other Montana counties. While still reasonable nationally, housing costs are catching up to income levels more quickly here than elsewhere in the state.
5 / 5
Best for Career-Focused Families Seeking Stability
Stillwater is ideal for working families and professionals with above-average incomes seeking quality health care and low tax burden. Those prioritizing strong earning potential, community services, and risk mitigation will find Stillwater Montana's most compelling option.
Stillwater Ranks Among America's Most Livable Places
Stillwater County's composite score of 75.0 decisively exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 50% of U.S. counties. This represents genuine livability strength comparable to the nation's best communities.
Leads Montana's County Livability Rankings
Stillwater scores 75.0 versus Montana's state average of 72.1, ranking as the strongest performer among all eight counties examined. This leadership position reflects balanced excellence across multiple dimensions.
Income, Tax Efficiency, and Health Care All Excel
Stillwater leads this group with median household income of $81,503 and income score of 36.6, a tax score of 85.4 with effective rate of 0.599%, and health score of 76.7. This trio of strengths creates rare economic and health security.
Housing Costs Rising Relative to Regional Peers
Median home value of $355,600 and cost score of 73.6 reflect increasing affordability pressures compared to other Montana counties. While still reasonable nationally, housing costs are catching up to income levels more quickly here than elsewhere in the state.
Best for Career-Focused Families Seeking Stability
Stillwater is ideal for working families and professionals with above-average incomes seeking quality health care and low tax burden. Those prioritizing strong earning potential, community services, and risk mitigation will find Stillwater Montana's most compelling option.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Stillwater's effective tax rate of 0.599% sits 29% below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,131 is 21% lower than the national median of $2,690, despite homes worth significantly more at $355,600.
Among Montana's most favorable rates
Stillwater's 0.599% rate sits 22% below Montana's state average of 0.767%, ranking among the state's most tax-friendly counties. Homeowners here enjoy a clear advantage over the typical Montanan.
Third-best in all-county comparison
Stillwater's 0.599% trails only Ravalli (0.529%) and Sanders (0.549%), significantly undercutting Rosebud (0.630%) and all eastern counties. It's a tax haven for central-southern Montana.
What $356K home costs in taxes
A median Stillwater home valued at $355,600 generates approximately $2,131 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,340; without, roughly $1,864.
Even favorable rates need checking
Stillwater's competitive tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate assessments—many homeowners are still paying on overvalued properties. Filing a free property tax appeal can validate your assessment and recover past overpayments.
Stillwater County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, bolstered by Montana's highest median household income of $81,503—9% above the national figure. Renters here pay $968 monthly while maintaining strong affordability relative to earnings.
Montana's highest earners, solid affordability
Stillwater's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 15.9%, achieved through the state's strongest median household income of $81,503. This central Montana county combines robust earning potential with manageable housing burdens.
Premium prices offset by premium incomes
Stillwater's $968 median rent is the highest across all eight counties, yet its 14.3% rent-to-income ratio remains competitive because of its exceptional $81,503 median income. Only Ravalli ($1,054) pays more rent, but with lower income and worse affordability ratios.
Stillwater's high-income housing market
Renters allocate 14.3% of a $81,503 annual income—$968 monthly—to housing, among the lowest burdens despite highest rents. Homeowners spend $1,136 monthly (16.7% of income) for median homes valued at $355,600, reflecting a prosperous local economy supporting higher-priced real estate.
Montana's premium market for earners
Stillwater offers Montana's best income-to-affordability ratio, with the state's highest median earnings supporting moderate housing burden despite the region's highest rents. If you're relocating with above-average income potential, Stillwater provides Montana's strongest economic foundation.
Stillwater County's median household income of $81,503 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 9%, making it one of the strongest-earning counties in the state. This premium reflects a diversified economy with agriculture, energy, and professional services.
Montana's top earner
Stillwater's $81,503 ranks highest among all eight counties and runs 30.8% above Montana's state average of $62,295. The county's economic strength stands out starkly against most of rural Montana.
Stillwater far outearns its peers
Stillwater's $81,503 exceeds Ravalli County ($71,323) by $10,180 and dwarfs Roosevelt County ($53,125) by $28,378—the largest gap in this eight-county group. The county's income premium is unmatched across Montana.
Strong incomes, rising home values
Stillwater's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% is excellent, and the median home value of $355,600 remains achievable for households earning over $81,000. The strong income-to-housing-cost ratio creates genuine wealth-building capacity.
Capitalize on Stillwater's prosperity
With household incomes nearly 9% above the national median, Stillwater residents have substantial capacity to save beyond basic expenses. Maximizing 401(k) contributions, diversifying into stock portfolios, and considering investment property or business ventures become realistic strategies for long-term wealth accumulation.
Stillwater County's life expectancy of 77.5 years beats the U.S. average of 76.4 years, and its 12.2% poor/fair health rate sits well below the national average of 17%. The county ranks among America's healthier regions.
Montana's top health performer
At 77.5 years, Stillwater County boasts the highest life expectancy in Montana, exceeding the state average of 76.3 years by 1.2 years. Its 9% uninsured rate ties with Silver Bow as the state's lowest, demonstrating strong insurance coverage paired with excellent health outcomes.
Health leadership with modest provider base
Stillwater achieves the best health outcomes in Montana despite having only 33 primary care providers per 100K—well below many neighbors. Its 76 mental health providers per 100K is the state's lowest, yet this doesn't prevent the county's top-tier life expectancy and health ratings.
High health status, lean provider structure
With 91% of Stillwater County residents insured and a life expectancy leading the state, the county demonstrates that health outcomes can exceed state averages without oversized provider networks. This suggests strong community health, preventive care engagement, or favorable demographics are driving superior results.
Keep Stillwater's coverage strong
Stillwater County's 9% uninsured rate is Montana's lowest—a model for the state. If you're among the few without coverage, visit Healthcare.gov to ensure you're protected and maintain your county's health advantage.
Stillwater County's composite risk of 16.76 is exceptionally low, well below national averages, earning a Very Low rating. The county's modest wildfire exposure is its only above-baseline hazard.
Among Montana's safest counties
Stillwater scores 16.76 compared to Montana's average of 33.31, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. All major hazard categories fall significantly below state norms.
Similar safety profile to Sheridan
Stillwater (16.76) and Sheridan County (15.08) are Montana's two lowest-risk counties, reflecting their eastern plains location. Both avoid the wildfire and earthquake exposures that characterize western and southwestern Montana.
Wildfire is only moderate exposure
Wildfire risk of 87.05 is Stillwater's primary concern, though still moderate in absolute terms. Flood (36.23), earthquake (33.65), and tornado (6.62) risks all fall well below county and state benchmarks.
Standard insurance generally adequate
Stillwater's very low composite risk profile means most homeowners can rely on standard policies for adequate protection. Verify wildfire coverage if your property adjoins grasslands; otherwise, your existing homeowners insurance likely covers primary risks.