Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $2,860/yr
- Without mortgage
- $2,448/yr
- Gap
- $412
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
Montana Property Taxes
The average Montana homeowner pays $2,693 a year at an effective rate of 0.72%. That bill is 35% above the U.S. median bill. Compare 56 counties below.
- $2,693
- Avg median tax
- 0.72%
- Effective rate
- #33 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 56
- Counties
Montana homeowners pay a median of $2,693 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.72%, the 33rd-highest burden of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median Montana homeowner pays $2,693 a year on a home worth $375,800, an effective rate of 0.72%. The bill runs 35% above the $1,993 national median, while the rate sits 22% below it; high home values pull them apart. County medians range $598 (Wibaux County) to $4,150 (Missoula County) across 56 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in Montana run from $598 in Wibaux County to $4,150 (Missoula County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $598–$4,150 (Missoula County)
- County median-bill range
- 0.74%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 68%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
How small is Montana's share of U.S. property-tax collections?
In Census FY2024, Montana's state and local governments collected $2.5B in property tax, only 0.34% of the national haul (#43 of 51). Spread across 317,400 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $7,788 per home - 2.9× the ACS median homeowner bill of $2,693. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
FY2024 collections: $2.5B · rank #43 · 0.34% of the U.S. state-and-local property-tax haul.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in Montana
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for Montana from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 7.7%
- With mortgage
- 2.6%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 144,274
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.41% in Madison County to 1.34% in Blaine County - a 0.93 percentage-point gap across 56 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in Montana is $2,693/year, which is 35% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.72% on a median home value of $375,800. Taxes range from $598 in Wibaux County to $4,150 (Missoula County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in Montana
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
County bills span a wide range
Across 56 measured counties, the published median runs from $598 in Wibaux County to $4,150 (Missoula County). Local school levies, county bonds, municipal overlays, and assessment practice create this within-state spread.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$2,693
+35% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$375,800
+65% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.72%
-22% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near Montana
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so Montana's 0.72% rate is read against real neighbors such as Mississippi and Virginia.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs Montana | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Also open Mississippi for county spread | 0.72% | Mississippi nearly matches Montana | $1,215 |
| Virginia Also open Virginia for county spread | 0.73% | Virginia nearly matches Montana | $2,790 |
| California Also open California for county spread | 0.70% | California nearly matches Montana | $5,124 |
| New Mexico Also open New Mexico for county spread | 0.70% | New Mexico nearly matches Montana | $1,731 |
| Indiana Also open Indiana for county spread | 0.74% | Indiana nearly matches Montana | $1,614 |
| Kentucky Also open Kentucky for county spread | 0.75% | Kentucky nearly matches Montana | $1,544 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for Montana, excluding Montana itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. Montana: 0.72%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. Montana: $2,693/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where Montana sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where Montana sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
0.72% Among the more affordable rates more affordable than 61% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
Montana has a higher effective property tax rate than 36% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #33 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Mississippi (0.72%, nearly level); Virginia (0.73%, nearly level); California (0.70%, nearly level).
What Montana's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight Montana counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 68% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
Montana's median county rate is 0.72%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical Montana homeowner faces is 0.74%, close to the plain median, so Montana's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
8.3
Very Affordable
Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.72% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Montana has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from Montana's 0.72% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Mississippi and Virginia before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in Montana by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 56 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missoula County | $4,150 | 0.88% | $472,100 |
| 2 | Gallatin County | $3,933 | 0.59% | $667,600 |
| 3 | Flathead County | $3,120 | 0.58% | $535,500 |
| 4 | Lewis and Clark County | $3,113 | 0.79% | $393,500 |
| 5 | Yellowstone County | $2,832 | 0.81% | $349,500 |
| 6 | Park County | $2,641 | 0.56% | $467,500 |
| 7 | Lake County | $2,561 | 0.61% | $421,800 |
| 8 | Silver Bow County | $2,500 | 0.98% | $255,200 |
| 9 | Jefferson County | $2,446 | 0.55% | $446,900 |
| 10 | Broadwater County | $2,384 | 0.56% | $426,600 |
| 11 | Ravalli County | $2,380 | 0.50% | $476,600 |
| 12 | Valley County | $2,333 | 1.18% | $198,400 |
| 13 | Cascade County | $2,320 | 0.87% | $265,300 |
| 14 | Stillwater County | $2,319 | 0.57% | $405,800 |
| 15 | Carbon County | $2,281 | 0.54% | $420,800 |
| 16 | Custer County | $2,264 | 1.03% | $219,100 |
| 17 | Granite County | $2,130 | 0.60% | $352,700 |
| 18 | Dawson County | $2,110 | 1.14% | $185,300 |
| 19 | Powell County | $2,104 | 0.69% | $306,500 |
| 20 | Blaine County | $2,080 | 1.34% | $155,500 |
| 21 | Beaverhead County | $2,069 | 0.67% | $308,300 |
| 22 | Teton County | $1,987 | 0.75% | $264,000 |
| 23 | Hill County | $1,980 | 0.98% | $202,600 |
| 24 | Madison County | $1,937 | 0.41% | $470,100 |
| 25 | Richland County | $1,934 | 0.74% | $263,000 |
| 26 | Toole County | $1,908 | 0.87% | $218,400 |
| 27 | Sanders County | $1,889 | 0.53% | $359,000 |
| 28 | Deer Lodge County | $1,803 | 0.78% | $231,700 |
| 29 | Fergus County | $1,769 | 0.75% | $236,100 |
| 30 | Mineral County | $1,758 | 0.48% | $364,300 |
| 31 | Meagher County | $1,725 | 0.66% | $259,800 |
| 32 | Pondera County | $1,651 | 0.80% | $206,100 |
| 33 | Lincoln County | $1,615 | 0.54% | $296,500 |
| 34 | Sweet Grass County | $1,615 | 0.49% | $330,100 |
| 35 | Daniels County | $1,610 | 0.87% | $184,800 |
| 36 | Big Horn County | $1,574 | 1.10% | $143,400 |
| 37 | Liberty County | $1,570 | 0.93% | $169,100 |
| 38 | Chouteau County | $1,566 | 0.75% | $207,800 |
| 39 | Phillips County | $1,551 | 0.78% | $197,600 |
| 40 | Roosevelt County | $1,522 | 1.28% | $118,800 |
| 41 | Sheridan County | $1,521 | 1.23% | $124,000 |
| 42 | McCone County | $1,429 | 0.68% | $211,600 |
| 43 | Glacier County | $1,391 | 0.84% | $165,100 |
| 44 | Prairie County | $1,391 | 0.84% | $165,700 |
| 45 | Treasure County | $1,364 | 0.59% | $230,300 |
| 46 | Powder River County | $1,304 | 0.68% | $192,100 |
| 47 | Musselshell County | $1,287 | 0.55% | $235,000 |
| 48 | Rosebud County | $1,285 | 0.70% | $182,400 |
| 49 | Fallon County | $1,220 | 0.50% | $244,800 |
| 50 | Petroleum County | $1,211 | 0.60% | $201,400 |
| 51 | Golden Valley County | $1,132 | 0.53% | $212,200 |
| 52 | Judith Basin County | $1,066 | 0.45% | $238,300 |
| 53 | Garfield County | $1,052 | 0.62% | $169,900 |
| 54 | Wheatland County | $1,013 | 0.56% | $180,800 |
| 55 | Carter County | $904 | 0.45% | $199,200 |
| 56 | Wibaux County | $598 | 0.61% | $98,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which county in Montana has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Wibaux County has the lowest median property tax in Montana at $598 per year with an effective rate of 0.61%. The highest is Missoula County at $4,150.
What is the median home value in Montana? ▼
The median home value across Montana is $375,800, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
How does Montana compare to the national average? ▼
Montana property taxes are 35% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,693 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in Montana? ▼
The average median property tax paid in Montana is $2,693 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.72%.
How small is Montana's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, Montana's state and local governments collected $2.5B in property tax, only 0.34% of the national haul (#43 of 51). Spread across 317,400 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $7,788 per home - 2.9× the ACS median homeowner bill of $2,693. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
What share of Montana owners report paying no property tax? ▼
7.7% of owner-occupied homes in Montana report zero property tax on the ACS survey (2.6% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in Montana? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $2,860/yr versus $2,448 for owners without a mortgage, a $412 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Montana? ▼
Yes. Every Montana homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with Montana's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- Montana's ACS 2024 median bill is $2,693/yr at 0.72% (35% above the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside Montana, Wibaux County posts the lowest median bill at $598/yr; Missoula County is highest at $4,150/yr. Open Wibaux County
- Estimate a parcel bill at Montana's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 56 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Montana. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.