1st Advantage MortgageIn Gallatin County, Montana, the typical household earns $93,528 a year and the typical rent is $1,694. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- First look: Gallatin County, MT
- Gallatin County's most unusual numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Gallatin County
- Gallatin County income bands
- Employment and commuting in Gallatin County
- Towns and communities in Gallatin County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Who lives in Gallatin County, in numbers
- Debt-to-income, Gallatin County edition
- Before borrowing in Gallatin County
- Licensing and complaints for Gallatin County
- Four steps for Gallatin County borrowers
- Beyond Gallatin County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Gallatin County, MT
With an estimated 124,074 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Gallatin County ranks 2nd of 56 in Montana for population. Land area is 2,605 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 48 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Bozeman, MT metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Bozeman (56,114 people) heads the county's list of 19 Census places, 5 incorporated and 14 census-designated.
Gallatin County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Montana county, Gallatin County is most unusual on these measures.
- Median home value: $667,600 in Gallatin County, the highest of 56 in Montana. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Gallatin County ranks the highest of 56 Montana counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 54%, against 35% statewide. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- On homeownership, Gallatin County sits near the bottom of Montana at 61%, 2nd lowest of 56. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
Rent, home values and ownership in Gallatin County
$1,694 a month is the median gross rent in Gallatin County, 57% above the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. Median value $667,600; median income $93,528; ratio 7.1. Homeowners 61%, renters 39%. Median construction year: 1998. Nationally, Gallatin County's $1,694 rent is 93% above the middle county.
| Housing | Gallatin County | Montana statewide | Gallatin County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 61% | 69% | -8.1 pts |
| Median home value | $667,600 | $375,800 | 78% higher |
| Median gross rent | $1,694/mo | $1,081/mo | 57% higher |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 45% | +3.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 30% | +2.7 pts |
Gallatin County income bands
The median household income in Gallatin County is $93,528; statewide it is $72,509, so Gallatin County runs 29% above Montana as a whole. Only 1 Montana county post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Gallatin County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.7% | -6.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.0% | -5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.3% | +5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 16.0% | +7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 47% of Gallatin County households make $100,000 or more, and 16% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.5% of Gallatin County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. Gallatin County scores 0.476 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. None of these numbers decides a Gallatin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Gallatin County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Gallatin County residents work in education and health care and 14% in professional and administrative services. The sharpest difference from the state is in professional and administrative services, at 14% locally and 10% for Montana. Unemployment in Gallatin County, ACS five-year: 2.3%; Montana: 3.6%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 7%; under 15 minutes: 42%. Households without a car make up 2.4% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Gallatin County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.6% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.1% | +1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Gallatin County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 19 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 71% of Gallatin County residents live in one of the 19. Big Sky has the highest median household income on the list ($138,805) and West Yellowstone the lowest ($58,839), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Big Sky ($877) and steepest in King Arthur Park ($2,223). From Bozeman to the smallest crossroads, Gallatin County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | city | 56,114 | $85,747 | $1,717 | 13 mi |
| Belgrade | city | 11,872 | $97,328 | $1,877 | 18 mi |
| Four Corners | CDP | 5,791 | $100,917 | $1,338 | 11 mi |
| Big Sky | CDP | 2,445 | $138,805 | $877 | 20 mi |
| Manhattan | town | 2,288 | $87,865 | $1,585 | 25 mi |
| King Arthur Park | CDP | 1,992 | $109,106 | $2,223 | 10 mi |
| Three Forks | city | 1,919 | $79,784 | $1,330 | 32 mi |
| West Yellowstone | town | 1,474 | $58,839 | $1,045 | 59 mi |
| Churchill | CDP | 1,167 | $108,281 | $1,382 | 18 mi |
| Ponderosa Pines | CDP | 950 | $73,681 | n/a | 37 mi |
| Gallatin Gateway | CDP | 933 | $82,500 | $1,589 | 5 mi |
| Springhill | CDP | 187 | $79,115 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Sedan | CDP | 182 | $93,906 | $1,000 | 34 mi |
| Willow Creek | CDP | 181 | $62,857 | n/a | 31 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Park County is closest, 31 miles from center to center; the sixth, Meagher County, is 75 miles off. Richest neighbor: Jefferson County, $95,490. Poorest: Park County, $70,047. Gallatin County: $93,528.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | - | $93,528 | $1,694/mo | 61% |
| Park County, MT | 31 mi | $70,047 | $976/mo | 69% |
| Madison County, MT | 39 mi | $75,250 | $1,000/mo | 81% |
| Broadwater County, MT | 58 mi | $70,374 | $955/mo | 88% |
| Jefferson County, MT | 60 mi | $95,490 | $925/mo | 84% |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | 62 mi | $77,000 | $1,149/mo | 80% |
| Meagher County, MT | 75 mi | $71,932 | $1,263/mo | 75% |
Who lives in Gallatin County, in numbers
54% of Gallatin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Gallatin County | +/- Montana | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 54.3% | +19.1 pts | +32.1 pts |
| Median age | 34.2 | -6.2 yrs | -7.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 15.5% | +3.0 pts | +6.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 2.8% | -2.6 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | -2.3 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | -2.0 pts | -3.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | -1.6 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.3% | -1.3 pts | -2.1 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Gallatin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.2% |
Debt-to-income, Gallatin County edition
Here is the Gallatin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Gallatin County: $7,794
- Rent at the median, $1,694, takes 22% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,806 total minus rent leaves $1,112
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,657 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Gallatin County's.
Before borrowing in Gallatin County
Gallatin County-specific points to check:
- Strong incomes, long terms. 47% of Gallatin County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Licensing and complaints for Gallatin County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Gallatin County, check the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Montana guide.
Four steps for Gallatin County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Montana.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Beyond Gallatin County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Gallatin County household make?
About $93,528 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 29% above the Montana median.
How does Gallatin County rent compare with Montana?
$1,694 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 57% above.
What are the biggest places in Gallatin County?
By population: Bozeman, Belgrade, Four Corners, Big Sky, Manhattan. The county has 19 Census places in all.
Are Gallatin County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
What agency protects Gallatin County borrowers?
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.