Wheatland County scores 74.3, nearly 50% above the national median of 50.0 and demonstrating solid overall livability. However, the strong composite score masks a significant structural weakness in income opportunity.
2 / 5
Above Montana's Average, But Selective Appeal
Wheatland scores 74.3 against a state average of 72.1, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Montana counties. The county's profile is more niche than broad-based livability.
3 / 5
Affordability and Tax Relief Champion
Wheatland leads the group in housing cost (86.4/100) with a median home value of just $172,700 and the lowest rent at $741/month. Tax burden is also excellent (84.0/100) at 0.650%, making it exceptionally affordable.
4 / 5
Income Deficit Is Severe
The income score of just 14.1 is the lowest in this entire group, with median household income at only $47,054—roughly $20,000 below state peers. Health outcomes (61.0) are also the weakest in the cohort, suggesting limited services.
5 / 5
For Retirees and Very Frugal Families
Wheatland suits retirees with pensions, remote workers with high external income, or families committed to ultra-low-cost living. It's not a place for those seeking local employment or whose income depends on regional job markets.
Wheatland County scores 74.3, nearly 50% above the national median of 50.0 and demonstrating solid overall livability. However, the strong composite score masks a significant structural weakness in income opportunity.
Above Montana's Average, But Selective Appeal
Wheatland scores 74.3 against a state average of 72.1, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Montana counties. The county's profile is more niche than broad-based livability.
Affordability and Tax Relief Champion
Wheatland leads the group in housing cost (86.4/100) with a median home value of just $172,700 and the lowest rent at $741/month. Tax burden is also excellent (84.0/100) at 0.650%, making it exceptionally affordable.
Income Deficit Is Severe
The income score of just 14.1 is the lowest in this entire group, with median household income at only $47,054—roughly $20,000 below state peers. Health outcomes (61.0) are also the weakest in the cohort, suggesting limited services.
For Retirees and Very Frugal Families
Wheatland suits retirees with pensions, remote workers with high external income, or families committed to ultra-low-cost living. It's not a place for those seeking local employment or whose income depends on regional job markets.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Wheatland County's effective rate of 0.650% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.767%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. The median tax of $1,122 on a $172,700 home represents just 42% of the national median tax of $2,690.
Montana's most affordable tax county
Wheatland County boasts one of Montana's lowest effective rates at 0.650%, 15% below the state average. The median tax of just $1,122 is nearly $680 below the state median, making Wheatland exceptionally affordable for rural property owners.
Among region's lowest-taxed counties
Wheatland's 0.650% rate ranks among the most affordable in the eight-county region, beaten only by Sweet Grass (0.491%) and Wibaux (0.709%). The county offers particularly strong tax relief compared to Valley County (1.100%) and Toole County (0.963%).
Median home costs $1,122 yearly
Wheatland County homeowners with a median home of $172,700 pay approximately $1,122 in annual property taxes. With additional county assessments and mortgage-related items, the total rises to $1,358.
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.
Wheatland County faces the lowest median household income in this analysis at $47,054—nearly $28,000 below the national median of $74,755. Though its 18.9% rent-to-income ratio is manageable by national standards, the combination of low income and relative high rents creates genuine budget pressure.
Challenging affordability in Montana context
Wheatland County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Montana's highest, well above the state average of 15.9%, signaling tight housing affordability. The $741 rent is among the state's lowest, yet still constitutes a heavy burden on the county's below-average incomes.
Rents competitive, but income lags
Wheatland's $741 rent rivals Teton and Toole for regional affordability, but the county's income of $47,054 is substantially lower than any comparable neighbor. The county offers cheap housing but in the context of limited local earnings.
Rent outweighs ownership affordability
Renters spend $741 monthly (18.9% of the $47,054 income), while homeowners enjoy lower costs at $575 on properties valued near $172,700. For those able to achieve homeownership, Wheatland offers particular relief; renters face tighter budgets here.
Best for homeowners with outside income
Wheatland County suits relocators who can purchase a home outright or with substantial down payment savings, as ownership costs are among Montana's lowest. Renters considering the move should have secure income from outside the county, since local wages are the region's most limited.
At $47,054, Wheatland County's median household income trails the national average of $74,755 by $27,701—a 37% deficit. This ranks among the most challenging income environments in the region.
Wheatland among Montana's lowest
Wheatland's $47,054 median falls $15,241 below Montana's county average of $62,295, placing it near the bottom statewide. The per capita income of $27,719 significantly underperforms the state average of $35,700.
Wheatland trails all neighboring counties
Wheatland's $47,054 is the lowest median among all profiled counties, trailing even Toole ($53,693). The per capita income of $27,719 reflects a particularly stretched economic base.
Housing costs strain tight budgets
At 18.9%, Wheatland's rent-to-income ratio creeps toward the 30% stress threshold on lower income. The median home value of $172,700 represents 3.7 years of income—significant for households with limited discretionary funds.
Grow wealth through focused planning
Wheatland households need intentional financial strategies—create a bare-bones budget first, then aggressively redirect any savings to emergency funds and low-cost investments. Even small contributions compound over decades.
At 75.3 years, Wheatland County's life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years by less than a year. However, the county's 19.1% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national rate of 17.1%, indicating notable health challenges.
Among Montana's struggling counties
Wheatland's 75.3-year life expectancy is below Montana's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower tier. The county's 19.1% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in the state, well above the state average of around 16.5%.
Poor health comparable to Toole
Wheatland's 19.1% poor/fair health rate rivals Toole County (19.5%) for the worst in the region, far exceeding healthier neighbors like Sweet Grass (13.4%) and Valley County (15.9%). The county's 75.3-year life expectancy is among the lowest regionally.
Highest uninsured rate in region
Wheatland's 17.2% uninsured rate is the highest among all eight counties analyzed—2.8 percentage points above the state average of 11.9%. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but 146 mental health providers per 100K suggest some behavioral health support exists.
Wheatland: urgent coverage needed
Nearly 1 in 5 Wheatland residents are uninsured, the highest rate in the region—this demands immediate action. Contact Montana Medicaid or visit healthcare.gov today to enroll; community health workers can help navigate options by phone or in person.
Wheatland County's composite risk score of 3.50 with a Very Low rating places it among the safest counties in the entire United States. Your natural disaster exposure across all major hazard types ranks far below the national average.
Among Montana's safest counties
At 3.50, Wheatland's composite risk is nearly 10 times lower than Montana's state average of 33.31, ranking the county among the state's least-exposed regions. This exceptional safety profile reflects the county's geography and climate characteristics.
Safest in the surrounding area
Wheatland's 3.50 score is significantly lower than neighbors Toole (13.01), Valley (35.94), and Teton (19.02), making it the safest county in its region. Only Treasure County (0.51) offers lower risk exposure in central Montana.
Wildfire is sole notable hazard
Wildfire risk at 51.02 represents Wheatland's only meaningful natural disaster exposure, while flood (12.15), earthquake (24.27), and tornado (5.76) risks are minimal. Your prairie location provides protection against most major hazard types.
Focus on wildfire preparedness
Your primary insurance concern should be confirming wildfire coverage within your homeowner's policy, which covers your main exposure. Standard property coverage for other hazards is generally sufficient given Wheatland's exceptional overall safety profile.