Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Buffalo, Montana
Median Buffalo, Montana effective property tax rate: 0.59%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Montana state median of 0.78%.
Median Buffalo, Montana home value: $250,954
Median annual Buffalo, Montana tax bill: $1,486, $914 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Judith Basin calculated?
Property taxes in Buffalo, Montana are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Buffalo's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Buffalo, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.59%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,481
$1,374
How Does the Buffalo Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Buffalo property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Buffalo's median effective tax rate of 0.59% — based on actual property records in Judith Basin County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Buffalo's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Buffalo: rates range from 0.59% in 59418 to 0.59% in 59418, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Buffalo.
About Buffalo Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Buffalo, Judith Basin, Montana
Buffalo’s median effective property tax rate of 0.59% is lower than the Montana state median of 0.78% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Judith Basin County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Buffalo. Homeowners in the 59418 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.59%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 0.59%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Judith Basin County. Understanding which part of Buffalo you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Buffalo homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the July 31, 2025 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Buffalo's effective property tax rate to other cities in Montana and the median property tax rates in Montana and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Buffalo Tax Rate
0.59%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Judith Basin County Tax Rate
0.60%
Median Effective Montana Tax Rate
0.78%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59418 | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.59% | 0.64% | 0.86% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
When examining property taxes in Buffalo, Montana, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Judith Basin County assessment office estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Judith Basin County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of July.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For example, the median home price in Buffalo is $250,954, with tax bills ranging from $893 at the 25th percentile to $3,607 at the 90th percentile. The median tax bill is $1,486, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$14,160
$132,557
$250,954
Median Buffalo Market Value
$250,954
Median Judith Basin County Market Value
$106,500
Median Montana Market Value
$317,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59418 | $75,300 | $117,704 | $250,954 | $393,406 | $555,042 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
Property tax bills in Buffalo are calculated from a home’s assessed value, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate set by the taxing authorities. For homeowners, the bill depends on how the property is valued, the exemptions that may apply, and the levies used to fund local services. With a median home price of $250,954, the typical tax burden can vary widely from one property to another.
The median property tax bill in the area is $1,486, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and also below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Bills at the 25th percentile are $893, while the 75th percentile reaches $2,399 and the 90th percentile rises to $3,607. That range shows how much a homeowner’s tax bill can change based on the assessed value of the home and the specific tax rates applied.
Median Buffalo Tax Bill
$1,486
Median Judith Basin County Tax Bill
$716
Median Montana Tax Bill
$2,559
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo, Judith Basin County, Montana
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59418 | $545 | $893 | $1,486 | $2,399 | $3,607 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Judith Basin Tax Assessor | |
| Website | svc.mt.gov |