Property Tax in Montana by County
According to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023, the median real estate tax bill in Montana is $2,535 a year, on a median home value of $338,100. Figures for every Montana county with published data — 56 in total — are in the table below. That state median is about 15% lower than the US median of $2,969.
At the top of the Montana table sits Missoula County, MT (median $3,833); at the bottom, Wibaux County, MT (median $654). One state, one tax system on paper — but the bills are set locally, county by county and district by district.
Looking across the state, 2 of 56 counties with published data have a median tax bill above the US median of $2,969. The middle county figure in Montana — the median of the county medians — is $1,728, and county medians range from $654 in Wibaux County to $3,833 in Missoula County, a spread that shows how local the tax burden is even within one state.
For orientation: the county with the most residents is Yellowstone County (167,340 people), and the county covering the most land is Beaverhead County (5,543 square miles). Their own tax and value medians are in the table below.
The state's population centres are Yellowstone County (167,340 residents; median tax $2,669 on a median value of $317,600), Gallatin County (122,194; $3,625 on $604,900) and Missoula County (119,639; $3,833 on $423,100).
Montana counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula County, MT | $3,833 | $423,100 | 0.91% | 119,639 |
| Gallatin County, MT | $3,625 | $604,900 | 0.60% | 122,194 |
| Lewis and Clark County, MT | $2,886 | $358,200 | 0.81% | 72,580 |
| Flathead County, MT | $2,867 | $467,700 | 0.61% | 108,445 |
| Yellowstone County, MT | $2,669 | $317,600 | 0.84% | 167,340 |
| Park County, MT | $2,454 | $429,700 | 0.57% | 17,484 |
| Lake County, MT | $2,436 | $369,200 | 0.66% | 32,073 |
| Silver Bow County, MT | $2,357 | $223,500 | 1.05% | 35,589 |
| Ravalli County, MT | $2,303 | $435,000 | 0.53% | 45,807 |
| Jefferson County, MT | $2,274 | $408,000 | 0.56% | 12,501 |
| Custer County, MT | $2,242 | $204,200 | 1.10% | 11,938 |
| Cascade County, MT | $2,236 | $243,300 | 0.92% | 84,601 |
| Broadwater County, MT | $2,210 | $364,800 | 0.61% | 7,310 |
| Dawson County, MT | $2,199 | $187,400 | 1.17% | 8,874 |
| Valley County, MT | $2,185 | $198,600 | 1.10% | 7,540 |
| Stillwater County, MT | $2,131 | $355,600 | 0.60% | 9,052 |
| Carbon County, MT | $2,080 | $379,300 | 0.55% | 10,877 |
| Granite County, MT | $2,061 | $339,500 | 0.61% | 3,419 |
| Hill County, MT | $2,026 | $187,600 | 1.08% | 16,260 |
| Richland County, MT | $1,935 | $259,000 | 0.75% | 11,329 |
| Teton County, MT | $1,929 | $235,500 | 0.82% | 6,291 |
| Blaine County, MT | $1,901 | $124,900 | 1.52% | 6,997 |
| Beaverhead County, MT | $1,876 | $282,000 | 0.67% | 9,590 |
| Powell County, MT | $1,809 | $255,700 | 0.71% | 7,029 |
| Toole County, MT | $1,805 | $187,400 | 0.96% | 5,028 |
| Madison County, MT | $1,800 | $440,500 | 0.41% | 8,975 |
| Sanders County, MT | $1,777 | $323,800 | 0.55% | 12,936 |
| Mineral County, MT | $1,728 | $313,600 | 0.55% | 4,796 |
| Fergus County, MT | $1,709 | $202,700 | 0.84% | 11,581 |
| Deer Lodge County, MT | $1,706 | $209,700 | 0.81% | 9,512 |
| Meagher County, MT | $1,705 | $244,400 | 0.70% | 1,979 |
| Pondera County, MT | $1,584 | $179,200 | 0.88% | 6,012 |
| Roosevelt County, MT | $1,535 | $119,400 | 1.29% | 10,665 |
| Daniels County, MT | $1,533 | $177,800 | 0.86% | 1,524 |
| Lincoln County, MT | $1,499 | $258,700 | 0.58% | 20,656 |
| Phillips County, MT | $1,484 | $175,000 | 0.85% | 4,224 |
| Big Horn County, MT | $1,482 | $148,200 | 1.00% | 12,963 |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | $1,452 | $295,500 | 0.49% | 3,713 |
| Chouteau County, MT | $1,446 | $185,100 | 0.78% | 5,888 |
| Sheridan County, MT | $1,436 | $111,600 | 1.29% | 3,677 |
| Prairie County, MT | $1,428 | $167,100 | 0.85% | 1,251 |
| Musselshell County, MT | $1,383 | $221,200 | 0.62% | 5,068 |
| Fallon County, MT | $1,359 | $237,000 | 0.57% | 2,817 |
| McCone County, MT | $1,330 | $197,400 | 0.67% | 1,818 |
| Treasure County, MT | $1,326 | $215,300 | 0.62% | 761 |
| Petroleum County, MT | $1,261 | $173,700 | 0.73% | 401 |
| Glacier County, MT | $1,246 | $153,400 | 0.81% | 13,713 |
| Powder River County, MT | $1,237 | $149,400 | 0.83% | 1,762 |
| Liberty County, MT | $1,204 | $116,800 | 1.03% | 1,968 |
| Rosebud County, MT | $1,191 | $188,900 | 0.63% | 8,236 |
| Garfield County, MT | $1,169 | $178,300 | 0.66% | 938 |
| Wheatland County, MT | $1,122 | $172,700 | 0.65% | 2,049 |
| Golden Valley County, MT | $1,038 | $203,900 | 0.51% | 840 |
| Judith Basin County, MT | $971 | $214,200 | 0.45% | 2,053 |
| Carter County, MT | $782 | $176,600 | 0.44% | 1,361 |
| Wibaux County, MT | $654 | $92,300 | 0.71% | 1,148 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in Montana
Property tax in Montana is administered locally. As in almost every state, the process starts with an assessment: a local assessor (in most places a county official) estimates the market value of your property. That value, minus any exemptions you qualify for — homestead exemptions are the most common — is multiplied by the combined rates of the local taxing districts where the property sits: typically the county, a municipality, a school district, and sometimes special districts such as fire or water districts.
If your assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can usually appeal. Start by asking the assessor's office for your property record card and checking it for simple errors — wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a missed exemption. If the value still looks wrong, gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby, or an independent appraisal. Appeals go to the local review board named on your notice, and the deadline on that notice controls — appeal windows are typically short.
One caution applies everywhere in Montana: the median figures on this page describe the typical owner-occupied household across the whole state. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, your exemptions, and your exact combination of local districts, so use these numbers as a benchmark and confirm specifics with your county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in Montana?
The median real estate tax paid in Montana is $2,535 per year, on a median home value of $338,100 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which Montana county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Missoula County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $3,833 per year.
Which Montana county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Wibaux County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $654 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Montana?
Assessments in Montana are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.