countyscore
62.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 81Safety 75.1Schools 66.3

County Report Card

About Teton County, Montana

Teton County exceeds national benchmarks

Teton County carries a composite score of 62.9, which is nearly 13 points higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a well-balanced profile that is competitive on a national scale.

Outperforming the Montana average

With a score of 62.9, Teton sits well above the Montana state average of 56.4. It maintains a steady lead over many neighboring agricultural and rural counties.

High marks for safety and resilience

The county boasts a risk score of 81.0 and a safety score of 75.1, highlighting a very secure environment. Housing remains relatively affordable with a median home value of $235,500 and rents averaging just $750.

Water infrastructure and tax rates

The water score of 33.5 suggests that resource management or quality could use further attention. Additionally, the tax score of 51.6 reflects a moderate effective tax rate of 0.819%, which is higher than some nearby counties.

A haven for quiet, affordable living

Teton County is a strong match for retirees or remote workers looking for safety and lower living costs. It provides a peaceful lifestyle for those who do not mind moderate tax burdens.

Score breakdown

Tax51.6Cost60.8Safety75.1Health62.6Schools66.3Income61.1Risk81Water33.5Weather45.6
🏛51.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼61.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡75.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤62.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓66.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡81
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧33.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤45.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱28.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Compare Teton County with Morgan County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Pondera County
Montana
51.5
Lewis and Clark County
Montana
38.4
Toole County
Montana
49.1
Cascade County
Montana
33.5
Powell County
Montana
59.4
Liberty County
Montana
57.1
Glacier County
Montana
52.6
Lake County
Montana
40.5

Deep Dives

Teton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Teton County

via TaxByCounty

Teton taxes slightly above national norm

Teton County's effective rate of 0.819% ranks near the national median, placing it in the middle 40% of U.S. counties. At $1,929 in median taxes on a $235,500 home, Teton residents pay 28% less than the national median tax bill of $2,690.

Slightly above Montana average

Teton's 0.819% rate edges above Montana's state average of 0.767%, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 56 counties. The median tax of $1,929 sits $127 above the state median, reflecting above-average assessment practices.

Higher rates than most neighbors

Teton's 0.819% rate is higher than five of the eight profiled counties, including Sweet Grass (0.491%) and Treasure County (0.616%). Only Valley County (1.100%), Toole County (0.963%), and Yellowstone County (0.840%) tax at notably higher rates in this region.

Median home costs $1,929 yearly

A property valued at Teton County's median of $235,500 incurs roughly $1,929 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, your total tax obligation climbs to $2,000.

You may be overassessed

Many Montana property owners discover their homes are overvalued on county rolls. If your recent appraisal or comparable sales suggest your home's worth has shifted, filing a property tax appeal could lower your effective rate and save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Teton County

via CostByCounty

Teton offers some relief from national trends

Teton County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is comfortably below the U.S. average and well under the national norm of around 15%, making housing costs here relatively manageable. Though median household income of $67,766 trails the national figure of $74,755, the $750 median monthly rent keeps overall affordability competitive.

Montana's most affordable rental market

Teton County boasts one of Montana's lowest rent-to-income ratios at 13.3%, significantly outpacing the state average of 15.9%. Its $750 median rent is the lowest in this survey and well below Montana's state median of $825.

The bargain basement of regional rents

Teton County's $750 rent undercuts every nearby county in this analysis, from Valley County ($769) to Treasure County ($992). Homeownership costs here are comparable to neighbors, but the rental advantage is Teton's defining housing strength.

Balanced affordability across housing types

Renters spend just $750 monthly (13.3% of income), while homeowners pay $859 on a median home value of $235,500. Teton households enjoy relatively low housing burdens overall, with neither rent nor mortgage claiming an outsized share of earnings.

Budget-conscious renters should look here

Teton County delivers Montana's best rental affordability with rents that won't dominate your monthly budget—a rare find in the state. If you're relocating and price-sensitive, this county outperforms nearly all regional peers on housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Teton County

via IncomeByCounty

Teton falls below U.S. income average

Teton County's median household income of $67,766 lags the national median by $6,989. While still solidly middle-class, this gap reflects economic patterns common in smaller Montana counties.

Teton ranks above state average

At $67,766, Teton's median household income surpasses Montana's county average of $62,295 by nearly 9%. The county holds its own in Montana's income landscape despite rural demographics.

Teton's income lags its county peers

Sweet Grass ($69,426) and Treasure ($73,036) outpace Teton's $67,766 median. Teton's per capita income of $31,794 is notably lower than Sweet Grass's $39,756, suggesting more dispersed earning power.

Strong housing affordability here

Teton's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio is among Montana's lowest, indicating excellent rental affordability. The median home value of $235,500 still requires careful savings, but the low rent burden frees up income for homeownership goals.

Leverage low housing costs to invest

Teton's tight rent-to-income ratio is a wealth-building advantage—most households save 2–3% more annually than national averages. Direct those savings into diversified investments and emergency funds to accelerate long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Teton County

via CrimeByCounty

Teton County Outperforms National Safety

With a safety score of 99.1, Teton County is one of the safer regions in the United States. Its total crime rate of 593.1 per 100,000 residents is a fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Surpassing Montana Safety Standards

Teton County exceeds the Montana average safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate is nearly half the state average of 1,112.5 per 100,000 people.

Leading Its Neighbors in Safety

Teton County maintains a lower crime rate than neighboring Toole and Sweet Grass counties. This consistency makes it a regional leader in public safety metrics.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Violent crime is notably low at 176.3 per 100,000 residents. Property crime accounts for 416.8 incidents per 100,000, which is well below the national property crime average of 2,015.7.

Maintaining Peace in Teton

Minimal crime rates provide peace of mind for local families. Simple home security habits help preserve this exceptionally safe community atmosphere.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Teton County

via HealthByCounty

Teton's life expectancy matches nation

Teton County residents live 77.7 years on average, roughly in line with the U.S. life expectancy of 76.1 years. However, 15.9% of the county reports poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 17.1%, indicating generally adequate health outcomes.

Teton ranks midfield in Montana

At 77.7 years, Teton's life expectancy is above Montana's state average of 76.3 years by about 1.4 years. The county's 15.9% poor/fair health rate aligns with the state average, placing it in the middle range of Montana counties.

Primary care access lags neighbors

Teton's 32 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest among nearby counties—Sweet Grass offers 81 per 100K and Valley County provides 93 per 100K. Mental health support is robust at 171 per 100K, exceeding most regional peers.

Insurance gap and provider shortage

Teton's 11.5% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 11.9%, but the county faces a significant primary care deficit. Limited primary care options mean many residents may travel for routine checkups or preventive visits.

Bridge the coverage gap in Teton

Nearly 1 in 9 Teton residents lack health insurance, making enrollment in Montana Medicaid or marketplace plans critical. Residents can contact the Teton County health department or visit healthcare.gov to explore affordable coverage options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Teton County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Broad Network of Rural Schools

Teton County operates 17 public schools, including eight elementary, five middle, and four high schools. These facilities serve 1,046 students across 11 different school districts.

Strong Results with Efficient Spending

The county's 90.2% graduation rate beats the state average of 83.7% and the national mark of 87.0%. Teton achieves these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $9,072, resulting in a school score of 58.1.

Choteau and Fairfield Districts Anchor the County

Choteau Elementary serves 255 students across two schools, while Fairfield Elementary follows closely with 207 students. There are no charter schools in Teton County, as traditional districts maintain all 17 local campuses.

Quiet Rural Campuses with Small Classes

The entire school system is rural, providing a consistent small-town environment for all 1,046 students. The average school size is 62 students, with Choteau School standing as the largest facility with 200 students.

Invest in a High-Performing Rural Community

Homebuyers in Teton County benefit from a school system that consistently outperforms state graduation benchmarks. Explore local real estate near these well-regarded rural schools to find your next home.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Teton County

via RiskByCounty

Teton's risk remains below national average

Teton County's composite risk score of 19.02 with a Very Low rating places it well below the typical U.S. county's exposure to natural disasters. Your risk profile is driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake hazards rather than the high-impact floods or hurricanes seen in other regions.

Mid-tier risk within Montana

At 19.02, Teton's composite risk score is below Montana's state average of 33.31, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. However, your earthquake risk (53.69) stands notably higher than many neighboring counties, reflecting the region's geological character.

Higher earthquake risk than peers

Teton County's earthquake risk of 53.69 significantly exceeds nearby Sweet Grass (34.86) and Toole (29.87), reflecting its proximity to seismic zones. Overall, your total composite risk of 19.02 remains moderate compared to your neighbors along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Wildfire and earthquakes dominate

Wildfire risk at 73.51 and earthquake risk at 53.69 are your primary hazard exposures, while flood (32.19) and tornado (5.03) risks remain minimal. The combination of fire season threats and occasional seismic activity requires dual-focused preparedness planning.

Bundle fire and earthquake coverage

Your homeowner's policy should explicitly cover both wildfire damage and earthquake damage, as standard policies often exclude these perils. Securing these coverages protects your investment against Teton's two most significant natural hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Teton County

via WeatherByCounty

A dry, high-latitude climate

Teton County records an average annual temperature of 43.2°F, placing it well below the national median for warmth. With only 12.1 inches of annual precipitation, the region is significantly drier than the average American county.

Slightly cooler than the state

At 43.2°F, Teton County sits just below the Montana state average of 43.7°F. Its 47.5 inches of annual snowfall is typical for the Rocky Mountain Front, providing steady moisture despite low overall rainfall.

Mild summers compared to the plains

Teton avoids the intense heat seen further east, recording only 9 days above 90°F per year. This is significantly fewer heat events than neighbor Toole County, which sees nearly 60% more extreme heat days.

Consistently cool across seasons

Summer averages stay cool at 62.0°F, while winters are cold with a December through February average of 25.4°F. January is the coldest stretch, with temperatures averaging 24.8°F.

Focus on moisture and insulation

The dry air and 12.1 inches of precipitation mean xeriscaping is a smart choice for local landscaping. Given the 47.5 inches of snow and cold winters, ensuring home insulation is up to modern standards will keep heating costs manageable.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Teton County

via SoilByCounty

Rugged Soils Along the Front

Teton County soil records currently lack a specific pH or taxonomic profile for this data set. We anticipate these alkaline soils lean toward the state average of 7.43, significantly higher than the national 6.5 median.

The Mystery of Texture and Workability

Without specific silt and clay data, gardeners must rely on physical touch to determine soil workability. A local soil test is the best way to see if your plot mirrors the rocky characteristics of the nearby Rocky Mountain Front.

Fertility Potential in the Big Sky

Specific organic matter levels are not provided, but nearby counties often fall short of the 2.54% Montana state average. Amending your soil with compost can bridge the gap to ensure higher nutrient retention for your crops.

Navigating Hydrology Without the Map

Hydrologic group data for Teton is currently limited in this record. Observant farmers track how the ground responds to heavy spring rains to determine if they need raised beds or additional irrigation.

Short Season Success in Zone 4b

Hardiness Zone 4b demands quick-maturing varieties like bush beans and kale. Despite the limited soil data, the crisp air and sunny days provide an excellent environment for cool-weather gardening.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Teton County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Turf Conditions in Teton

Teton County faces significant hurdles with a lawn difficulty score of 28.8, falling well below both the state and national averages. The 4b hardiness zone necessitates selecting extremely cold-hardy grass varieties. Keeping a lawn green here requires more intensive management than almost anywhere else in the country.

Arid Climate Limits Natural Growth

Annual precipitation is just 12.1 inches, providing less than half of the moisture lawns need to thrive naturally. Low growing degree days of 1508 and only 9 extreme heat days mean the grass grows slowly but isn't often stressed by high temperatures. Mowing should be kept high to shade the soil and preserve what little moisture is available.

Navigating Unknown Soil Baselines

Comprehensive soil data for pH and texture is limited for Teton County, making independent soil testing a vital first step. Because much of the region is arid, you likely face alkaline conditions that may require sulfur amendments. Focus on building topsoil with compost to help your lawn survive the low annual rainfall.

A Year of Severe Drought

The county has spent all 53 of the last weeks in drought, and 79.2% of the land currently sits in severe drought or worse. Conventional lawns are difficult to maintain under these conditions without significant irrigation. Consider drought-tolerant seed blends and strictly follow any local water restrictions to conserve the limited supply.

Timing Your Teton Planting

Choose cool-season grasses like Buffalo grass or Crested Wheatgrass that can handle the 4b winters and low water. Your best planting window opens after May 28, but be mindful of the short season ending with the first frost on September 12. Success depends on establishing a strong root base during the few weeks of moderate temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Teton County's county score?
Teton County, Montana has a composite county score of 62.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Teton County rank among counties in Montana?
Teton County ranks #19 among all counties in Montana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Teton County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Teton County is $1,929, with an effective tax rate of 0.82%. This earns Teton County a tax score of 51.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Teton County?
The median household income in Teton County, Montana is $67,766 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Teton County earns an income score of 61.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Teton County, Montana a good place to live?
Teton County scores 62.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Teton County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Teton County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.