CountyScore

Yellowstone County

Montana · MT

#54 in Montana
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Yellowstone County, Montana

Above Average, But Urban Pressures Show

Yellowstone County scores 64.8, nearly 30% above the national median of 50.0, but represents the lowest score in this Montana group. As the state's most urban county, it faces affordability and risk challenges not seen in rural peers.

Below State Average Despite Urban Assets

At 64.8, Yellowstone falls below Montana's 72.1 state average, surprising for the county containing Billings, the state's largest city. Urban infrastructure and services don't offset housing cost and environmental risk pressures.

Income and Healthcare Leadership

Yellowstone offers the highest income score (32.0) in this group with median household income of $74,400, reflecting Billings' role as an economic hub. Health outcomes (71.8) and tax burden (78.6/100) are also competitive.

Housing Costs and Environmental Risk Loom Large

Cost scores just 69.6—the lowest in the group—with median home value at $317,600 and rent at $1,084/month. More critically, the risk score of 16.4 is catastrophically low, signaling significant environmental or natural hazard exposure.

For Wage Earners Accepting Urban Tradeoffs

Yellowstone suits professionals seeking higher salaries and urban amenities who can afford premium housing and manage environmental risks. It's not ideal for budget-conscious families or those prioritizing long-term environmental safety.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.6Cost69.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk16.4WaterComing Soon
🏛78.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Yellowstone County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Harper County
Kansas
64.8
Median income: $55,417
Gallatin County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $87,454

Deep Dives

Yellowstone County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Yellowstone County

via TaxByCounty

Yellowstone taxes match national norm

At 0.840%, Yellowstone County's effective rate sits above the national median of 0.767%, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. Yet the median tax of $2,669 nearly equals the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $317,600—above both state and national averages.

Above-average Montana county

Yellowstone County's 0.840% rate ranks in the upper third of Montana counties, 9% above the state average of 0.767%. With a median tax of $2,669, Yellowstone residents face Montana's second-highest absolute tax bill of the eight counties profiled.

Higher taxes than most neighbors

Yellowstone's 0.840% rate ranks second-highest in this eight-county region, behind only Valley County (1.100%). It substantially exceeds Sweet Grass (0.491%), Treasure (0.616%), and Wheatland (0.650%), though it's slightly below Teton (0.819%).

Median home costs $2,669 yearly

Yellowstone County homeowners with a median home of $317,600—the highest in the profiled region—pay approximately $2,669 in annual property taxes. With county assessments and mortgage-related items, the total reaches $2,701.

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 Yellowstone County

via CostByCounty

Yellowstone mirrors national affordability

Yellowstone County's median household income of $74,400 nearly equals the national median of $74,755, but its 17.5% rent-to-income ratio sits above typical U.S. standards. At $1,084 monthly rent, the county's housing costs are substantially higher than national norms, reflecting Montana's tighter rental market.

Montana's highest housing costs overall

Yellowstone County ranks among Montana's least affordable counties, with a 17.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 15.9%. The $1,084 median rent is the highest in this analysis—$259 above Montana's state median—while median home values of $317,600 far exceed rural county norms.

Premium pricing in the region

Yellowstone's $1,084 rent and $317,600 median home value substantially exceed all neighboring counties surveyed, reflecting Billings' urban market pull. The $1,257 monthly ownership cost is the region's highest, creating a two-tiered housing market with significant affordability challenges.

Montana's costliest housing market

Renters spend $1,084 monthly (17.5% of income), while homeowners pay $1,257 on properties valued near $317,600. Overall, Yellowstone households dedicate nearly one in five income dollars to housing—a burden reflecting the county's status as Montana's urban housing hub.

Urban amenities come at a price

Yellowstone County suits relocators seeking Montana's largest urban center (Billings) and are willing to pay for urban conveniences and job diversity. Budget accordingly: housing costs here significantly exceed rural alternatives, though income levels and employment opportunities partly offset the premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yellowstone County

via IncomeByCounty

Yellowstone nearly matches national median

Yellowstone County's median household income of $74,400 comes within $355 of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county ranks among America's strongest rural income performers.

Yellowstone leads all Montana counties

At $74,400, Yellowstone's median household income tops Montana's county average of $62,295 by 19%—the highest among profiled counties. The per capita income of $42,894 also exceeds the state average by 20%.

Yellowstone outearns all peers

Yellowstone's $74,400 median leads all profiled counties, surpassing even Treasure ($73,036) and Sweet Grass ($69,426). As Montana's largest city county, Billings drives robust economic activity and diverse employment.

Solid affordability; premium homes

Yellowstone's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio indicates healthy housing affordability. However, the median home value of $317,600 equals 4.3 years of income—the highest multiple regionally, reflecting Billings's desirability and growth.

Build serious wealth in Yellowstone

Yellowstone households benefit from the region's strongest income and most diverse economy. Max out retirement contributions, explore tax-advantaged accounts, and consider investment real estate or business ownership to accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yellowstone County

via HealthByCounty

Yellowstone slightly below national average

At 75.9 years, Yellowstone County's life expectancy is just 0.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating comparable outcomes. The county's 16.0% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national rate of 17.1%, suggesting reasonably healthy residents.

Mid-range health in Montana

Yellowstone's 75.9-year life expectancy is marginally below Montana's state average of 76.3 years. The county's 16.0% poor/fair health rate aligns closely with the state average, placing it squarely in Montana's middle tier of health outcomes.

Best insured, strong provider access

Yellowstone's 9.2% uninsured rate is the lowest among all eight counties, and its 108 primary care providers per 100K ranks second only to Valley County's 93 per 100K. The county's 455 mental health providers per 100K far exceeds all regional peers, offering exceptional behavioral health support.

Montana's healthcare access leader

Yellowstone County boasts both the state's lowest uninsured rate at 9.2%—nearly 3 points below the state average of 11.9%—and exceptional provider density. With 108 primary care providers and 455 mental health providers per 100K, residents enjoy unparalleled access to healthcare across the region.

Maintain Yellowstone's coverage success

While Yellowstone leads on uninsured rates, the 9.2% of uninsured residents should still enroll for preventive care and protection. Visit health.mt.gov or healthcare.gov to ensure continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yellowstone County

via RiskByCounty

Yellowstone County faces significant national risk

Yellowstone County's composite risk score of 83.56 with a Relatively Moderate rating places it among the higher-risk counties across the United States. Your exposure to multiple hazard types—particularly floods (84.54) and wildfires (93.45)—substantially exceeds the national average.

Montana's highest-risk county

At 83.56, Yellowstone County's composite risk is more than 2.5 times higher than Montana's state average of 33.31, making it the most hazard-exposed county in the entire state. Your vulnerability across flood, wildfire, earthquake, and tornado hazards is unmatched in Montana.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Yellowstone's 83.56 score dramatically exceeds all neighboring counties, including Valley (35.94) and Wheatland (3.50), by enormous margins. Your county stands alone in Montana for concentrated natural disaster risk, primarily due to Billings' urban footprint and the Yellowstone River's presence.

Floods and wildfires are critical

Flood risk of 84.54 and wildfire risk of 93.45 are your county's dominant hazards, far exceeding state and national norms for both. Additionally, earthquake risk (74.65) and tornado risk (28.94) create a complex hazard environment requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Comprehensive insurance is mandatory

Flood insurance, wildfire coverage, and earthquake protection are all essential for Yellowstone County property owners—standard policies exclude these perils. Given your county's exceptional risk profile, consulting with an insurance agent about bundled multi-hazard coverage is strongly advised.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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