Audrain County's composite score of 74.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 49%, placing it in the upper echelon of U.S. counties for livability. This performance reflects balanced strengths across tax policy and housing costs.
2 / 5
Virtually Aligned With Missouri Average
At 74.7, Audrain County nearly perfectly matches Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it a textbook example of the typical strong-performing Missouri county. It represents the state's competitive standard without particular distinction.
3 / 5
Cost and Tax Efficiency Stand Out
Audrain delivers a cost score of 86.1 with median home values of $121,600 and rent at $698/month, alongside a tax score of 77.7 with an effective rate of 0.875%. Together, these make it an attractive haven for households prioritizing monthly budget relief.
4 / 5
Income Levels Below State Expectations
With an income score of just 20.1 and median household income of $56,232, Audrain lags behind peer counties in earning potential and wage growth prospects. Health, safety, schools, water quality, and risk factors remain unmeasured.
5 / 5
Suited for Cost-Conscious Modest-Income Households
Audrain County appeals to retirees, service workers, and others comfortable with lower incomes who need their money to stretch further through affordable housing and favorable taxes. It offers financial stability through low living costs rather than high wages.
Audrain County's composite score of 74.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 49%, placing it in the upper echelon of U.S. counties for livability. This performance reflects balanced strengths across tax policy and housing costs.
Virtually Aligned With Missouri Average
At 74.7, Audrain County nearly perfectly matches Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it a textbook example of the typical strong-performing Missouri county. It represents the state's competitive standard without particular distinction.
Cost and Tax Efficiency Stand Out
Audrain delivers a cost score of 86.1 with median home values of $121,600 and rent at $698/month, alongside a tax score of 77.7 with an effective rate of 0.875%. Together, these make it an attractive haven for households prioritizing monthly budget relief.
Income Levels Below State Expectations
With an income score of just 20.1 and median household income of $56,232, Audrain lags behind peer counties in earning potential and wage growth prospects. Health, safety, schools, water quality, and risk factors remain unmeasured.
Suited for Cost-Conscious Modest-Income Households
Audrain County appeals to retirees, service workers, and others comfortable with lower incomes who need their money to stretch further through affordable housing and favorable taxes. It offers financial stability through low living costs rather than high wages.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Audrain County's effective rate of 0.875% exceeds the national median of 0.863%, placing it squarely in the upper half of U.S. counties. Homeowners with the median property value of $121,600 pay about $1,064 annually—still well below the national median tax of $2,690.
Above average among Missouri counties
At 0.875%, Audrain County ranks above the Missouri state average of 0.733%, sitting in the upper-middle tier of the state's 114 counties. The median tax of $1,064 falls just below Missouri's state median of $1,199.
Second-highest rate in the region
Only Atchison County (1.171%) exceeds Audrain's 0.875% rate among the profiled counties; Andrew County and Adair County fall just below at 0.762% and 0.759%. This places Audrain firmly at the upper end of regional tax burdens.
Expect around $1,064 per year
Audrain County homeowners with median-valued properties at $121,600 typically pay approximately $1,064 in annual property taxes. For those with mortgages, the figure rises to about $1,085 when escrow is included.
Challenge inflated assessments
Audrain County residents should review their property assessments against recent comparable sales to ensure they're not overpaying. Filing a formal appeal costs nothing and could significantly reduce your annual tax obligation.
Audrain County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio edges just below Missouri's 15.6% state average, despite household incomes 25% below the national median. This positions Audrain as an affordability-conscious county where housing remains manageable relative to local earnings.
Audrain ranks as affordable in Missouri's middle
Audrain County sits in the better half of Missouri counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio just under the state average of 15.6%. The county's modest home values of $121,600 reflect steady, sustainable demand without speculative pressure.
Audrain undercuts Adair but trails Atchison
Audrain's median rent of $698 runs 11% cheaper than Adair County ($782) but 17% higher than the county's best bargain, Atchison ($595). Among this peer group, Audrain represents solid middle-ground housing costs with reasonable home values.
Tight budget requires careful housing choices
Renters pay $698 monthly while homeowners invest $652, with median home values at $121,600—a modest but sustainable level. The $56,232 household income means housing consumes just under 15% of gross earnings, leaving limited cushion for emergencies or savings.
Audrain works for stable renters seeking value
If you prioritize affordable rental costs and can sustain steady employment locally, Audrain offers below-state-average housing burdens without extreme isolation. The county suits individuals or couples with stable $55,000+ incomes who value Midwest charm and modest expenses over rapid home equity growth.
Audrain County's median household income of $56,232 falls $18,523 short of the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects an economy with fewer high-wage opportunities and lower average earnings than the national norm.
Below-average earner in Missouri
At $56,232, Audrain's median household income sits $3,271 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. The county ranks in the lower tier statewide, signaling economic challenges relative to stronger Missouri regions.
Lowest income in the immediate region
Audrain's $56,232 median income ranks lowest among its nearby neighbors, trailing Adair County at $56,583 and Atchison County at $59,260. Only Barton County outpaces Audrain as the region's weakest earner economically.
Manageable housing costs for renters
Audrain's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio provides comfortable affordability for renters, keeping housing costs well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $121,600 remains within reach for local earners, though lower incomes limit savings capacity.
Build savings discipline in Audrain
With below-state-average incomes, Audrain households must prioritize disciplined saving to achieve long-term wealth goals. Starting with even small automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts and exploring low-cost index funds can help residents overcome income limitations through consistent compound growth.
Audrain County's 73.9-year life expectancy falls nearly a year short of the U.S. average of 74.4 years, and a concerning 24.2% of residents report poor or fair health—among Missouri's worst rates. These figures reflect deep, population-wide health struggles.
Audrain ranks among Missouri's sickest counties
Audrain's 73.9-year life expectancy trails the state average of 74.3 years, while its 24.2% poor/fair health rate ranks it in the bottom tier statewide. An uninsured rate of 13.8% compounds access problems, exceeding the state average of 12.5%.
Worst health outcomes in the area
Audrain's 73.9-year life expectancy matches Atchison County as the region's lowest, trailing Adair by two years and Andrew by nearly five. Its 24.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest among regional peers, signaling acute population health needs.
Few doctors, more uninsured residents
Audrain has just 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a critical shortage—while 13.8% of residents lack insurance coverage. Mental health providers are relatively available at 234 per 100K, yet without primary care gatekeepers and insurance, residents struggle to access any coordinated care.
Coverage is the foundation for health.
Audrain's uninsured rate of 13.8% means one in seven residents has no health insurance—a key barrier in a county with limited providers. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Audrain Community Health Center today to find plans that fit your budget and get connected to local care.
With a composite risk score of 51.40, Audrain County sits just above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the Relatively Low category. This means your county faces slightly elevated natural disaster exposure compared to the typical Missouri community.
Middle-range risk across Missouri
Audrain County ranks in the middle tier of Missouri's natural disaster risk, with exposure levels that exceed roughly half the state's counties. Several neighboring counties carry significantly lower or higher risk profiles.
Riskier than northern neighbors
Audrain County's 51.40 score substantially exceeds nearby Adair County (28.72) and Andrew County (22.14), reflecting greater hazard exposure across multiple disaster types. Your county sits in a transition zone between Missouri's safest and most vulnerable regions.
Earthquake risk stands unusually high
Earthquake exposure dominates Audrain County's risk profile at 77.19—one of the highest in Missouri—due to proximity to the New Madrid seismic zone. Flood (55.28) and tornado (55.76) risks are also notable, making seismic preparedness a unique priority for your area.
Earthquake insurance essential here
Audrain County residents must secure earthquake coverage—a critical and often-overlooked protection due to the New Madrid seismic zone's proximity. Also ensure comprehensive flood and windstorm coverage, and anchor heavy furniture and appliances to walls.