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Montana

Cost of living in Dawson County, MT

Estimated monthly cost
$2,936/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 8,874 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $934 32%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $476 16%
Groceries $334 11%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $172 6%
Energy $160 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Dawson County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$891
per month
1 bedroom
$934
per month
2 bedroom
$1,215
per month
3 bedroom
$1,464
per month
4 bedroom
$1,827
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Dawson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$70,953
per year
Individual earnings
$39,180
per year
Per capita
$36,998
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Dawson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$187,400
Annual property tax
$2,199

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Dawson County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$103
per month · 12.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$57
per month
Annual total
$1,920
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Dawson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Dawson County

State and local tax rates for Montana.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Dawson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.6 min
Drive alone
81.8%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
6.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Dawson County

What it costs to live in Dawson County each month.

Single person
$2,936
per month
  • Rent $934
  • Energy $160
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $476
  • State tax $172
Couple
$4,473
per month
  • Rent $1,215
  • Energy $192
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $831
  • State tax $328
Family
$6,858
per month
  • Rent $1,464
  • Energy $240
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $831
  • State tax $328

Frequently asked questions about Dawson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Dawson County?

In Dawson County, MT, a one-bedroom apartment averages $934 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,215 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,464 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Dawson County?

In Dawson County, MT, the average household income is $70,953 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,180 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Dawson County?

The estimated cost of living in Dawson County, MT is approximately $2,936 per month for a single person, $4,473 for a couple, $6,858 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Dawson County?

The combined sales tax rate in Dawson County, MT is 0.00%, which includes the Montana state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Dawson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Dawson County, MT would need approximately $2,936 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $70,953 per year ($5,913 per month). Dawson County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Dawson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Dawson County, MT is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Dawson County?

The average home value in Dawson County, MT is $187,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,199, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Dawson County compare to other areas?

You can compare Dawson County, MT with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Dawson County is in Montana.

Other counties in Montana

Browse the full list of counties in Montana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Montana

Compare Dawson County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources