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Montana

Cost of living in Sanders County, MT

Estimated monthly cost
$2,614/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 12,936 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $884 34%
Healthcare $480 18%
Groceries $334 13%
Federal tax $321 12%
Transport $250 10%
Energy $160 6%
State tax $125 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Sanders County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$821
per month
1 bedroom
$884
per month
2 bedroom
$1,080
per month
3 bedroom
$1,386
per month
4 bedroom
$1,814
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Sanders County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$54,035
per year
Individual earnings
$29,684
per year
Per capita
$31,554
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Sanders County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$323,800
Annual property tax
$1,777

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Sanders 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 Sanders County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
13.4%

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 Sanders 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 Sanders County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.7 min
Drive alone
67.8%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
14.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Sanders County

What it costs to live in Sanders County each month.

Single person
$2,614
per month
  • Rent $884
  • Energy $160
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $321
  • State tax $125
Couple
$3,908
per month
  • Rent $1,080
  • Energy $192
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $554
  • State tax $245
Family
$6,350
per month
  • Rent $1,386
  • Energy $240
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $554
  • State tax $245

Frequently asked questions about Sanders County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Sanders County?

In Sanders County, MT, a one-bedroom apartment averages $884 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,080 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,386 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Sanders County?

In Sanders County, MT, the average household income is $54,035 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $29,684 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Sanders County?

The estimated cost of living in Sanders County, MT is approximately $2,614 per month for a single person, $3,908 for a couple, $6,350 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Sanders County?

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

Is Sanders County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Sanders County, MT would need approximately $2,614 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $54,035 per year ($4,503 per month). Sanders County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Sanders County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Sanders County, MT is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 13.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Sanders County?

The average home value in Sanders County, MT is $323,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,777, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Sanders County compare to other areas?

You can compare Sanders County, MT with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Sanders 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 Sanders 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