Baker County scores 75.7 out of 100, placing it 51 percent above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong livability credentials on a national basis.
2 / 5
Top performer in Georgia
At 75.7, Baker County ranks among the highest-scoring counties in Georgia, well above the state average of 70.9. The county stands out for livability compared to statewide peers.
3 / 5
Affordability and low taxes shine
Baker County posts the highest cost score of 89.8 and an effective tax rate of just 0.868%. The median gross rent of $643 per month is among the lowest available, making it highly attractive to budget-focused residents.
4 / 5
Lower incomes limit options
The income score of 12.4 reflects a median household income of $44,405, restricting economic growth potential for ambitious professionals. Data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Perfect for cost-minimizing retirees
Baker County appeals most to retirees and low-income families seeking minimal housing costs and tax burdens. The exceptional affordability and stable, low-tax environment provide financial security for those with fixed or limited incomes.
Baker County scores 75.7 out of 100, placing it 51 percent above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong livability credentials on a national basis.
Top performer in Georgia
At 75.7, Baker County ranks among the highest-scoring counties in Georgia, well above the state average of 70.9. The county stands out for livability compared to statewide peers.
Affordability and low taxes shine
Baker County posts the highest cost score of 89.8 and an effective tax rate of just 0.868%. The median gross rent of $643 per month is among the lowest available, making it highly attractive to budget-focused residents.
Lower incomes limit options
The income score of 12.4 reflects a median household income of $44,405, restricting economic growth potential for ambitious professionals. Data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
Perfect for cost-minimizing retirees
Baker County appeals most to retirees and low-income families seeking minimal housing costs and tax burdens. The exceptional affordability and stable, low-tax environment provide financial security for those with fixed or limited incomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Baker County's 0.868% effective rate sits just below the national median of 0.88%, placing it near the middle of the U.S. tax distribution. Despite higher-valued homes averaging $120,100, the median tax bill remains just $1,042—roughly 61% below the national median of $2,690.
Slightly above Georgia's statewide average
Baker County's 0.868% rate marginally exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, yet its median tax of $1,042 falls $487 short of the state median of $1,529. The county represents a middle ground within Georgia's property tax landscape.
Moderate rates in a varied region
Baker County (0.868%) ranks between Appling (0.846%) and Bacon (1.022%), offering middle-ground property tax conditions. With a median home value of $120,100, it attracts buyers seeking moderate property values and reasonable tax bills.
Median home tax estimate
A typical $120,100 home in Baker County incurs roughly $1,042 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance factored in, annual costs approach $572 for some households, though this varies based on individual mortgage terms.
Challenge your assessment if warranted
Baker County homeowners should review their assessments regularly, comparing them against recent sales of similar properties. Free assessment appeals can significantly reduce your tax burden if your home is overvalued.
Baker County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight Georgia counties and well below the national average, reflecting smart wage-to-rent alignment. The median rent of $643 combined with $44,405 median income creates one of the region's tightest affordability profiles.
Top-tier affordability statewide
Baker County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's most affordable counties in this dataset, beating the state average of 18.6% by 1.2 percentage points. This rural county punches above its weight on affordability despite moderate income levels.
Underrated gem in rural Georgia
Baker County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio beats nearby Appling (19.5%) and Atkinson (19.4%), while offering rents only $68 above Atkinson's floor. The $120,100 median home value represents the highest in this rural cluster, signaling deeper market strength than rent prices alone suggest.
Just over a sixth goes to rent
Baker County residents earning $44,405 median income pay $643 monthly rent—only 17.4% of gross household earnings. Homeowners benefit even more, with $475 monthly mortgage costs on homes valued at $120,100, the highest median home value in this rural cohort.
Baker's the affordability sweet spot
Baker County delivers Georgia's best rental affordability in this region while maintaining the highest median home values, making it ideal for both renters and first-time buyers. Compare its 17.4% rent-to-income ratio against neighboring counties before moving—Baker genuinely offers more housing breathing room.
Baker County's median household income of $44,405 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $30,350. This gap reflects limited higher-wage employers and economic diversity typical of rural Southwest Georgia counties.
Below-average earner statewide
Baker County's $44,405 median household income falls 27% short of Georgia's county average of $60,488. The county ranks in the lower half of Georgia's 159 counties for household earnings capacity.
Mid-range earner among rural peers
Baker County's $44,405 median sits between Appling ($43,728) and Bacon ($50,310), positioning it squarely in the rural South Georgia earnings range. The county is part of a cluster of counties sharing similar economic conditions.
Best housing affordability in group
Baker County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 17.4%, meaning housing remains highly affordable despite modest incomes. However, the median home value of $120,100 is notably higher than neighboring counties, suggesting appreciation potential but requiring careful homebuying decisions.
Capitalize on housing market potential
Baker County residents should consider homeownership strategically, as rising property values ($120,100 median) combined with low rent-to-income ratios create wealth-building opportunities. Pair this with consistent savings habits and long-term market investing to grow net worth.
Baker County residents live an average of 71.8 years, roughly 5.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.9 years. One in four (23.7%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17.8%. While the county shows relative strength on the uninsured metric, health outcomes remain below national norms.
Near Georgia's state average
At 71.8 years, Baker County's life expectancy is nearly half a year below Georgia's 73.3-year average, placing it near the middle of the state's health rankings. The 23.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state baseline, suggesting room for improvement in chronic disease prevention. The county performs better on insurance coverage, with an 11.1% uninsured rate—well below the state's 15%.
Better coverage, mixed health profile
Baker's 71.8-year life expectancy falls between Bacon (69.5) and Appling (71.5) among neighbors. Its 11.1% uninsured rate is the lowest in this eight-county group and significantly better than the state average, suggesting residents have better access to insurance pathways. However, the 23.7% poor/fair health rate indicates existing insurance alone doesn't guarantee good health outcomes.
Insurance strength offset by provider limits
Baker stands out with an 11.1% uninsured rate—the best in this comparison and notably below Georgia's 15% average. Mental health provider availability (37 per 100K) is modest but present; primary care provider data is unavailable. Good insurance coverage without complete information on in-county provider capacity suggests residents may need to travel for specialized care.
Maintain coverage and explore options
Baker residents with insurance should confirm annual renewal to avoid coverage gaps; uninsured residents should explore healthcare.gov, Medicaid, or employer plans. The county's strong insurance rates suggest community awareness—build on that momentum by ensuring every resident has active coverage. Annual check-ins on coverage keep care accessible year-round.
Baker County scores just 9.76 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This community faces substantially less exposure to major natural hazards than the typical American county.
Baker ranks among Georgia's most resilient counties
Baker's 9.76 score positions it in the bottom quartile of risk across Georgia's 159 counties. Few Georgia communities enjoy greater natural disaster resilience than Baker, reflecting its favorable geographic and climatic position.
Safest county in the surrounding region
Baker's 9.76 score beats nearby Atkinson (7.32) marginally and substantially outperforms Bacon (20.58) and Appling (50.22). The county benefits from geographic isolation from major hurricane corridors and relatively moderate exposure to other hazards.
Hurricane remains the primary exposure point
Baker's lone significant hazard is hurricane risk at 76.35, far exceeding all other threat categories in the county. Wildfire (30.60), tornado (26.72), and earthquake (17.21) risks all remain minimal, creating a narrow risk profile.
Focus coverage on hurricane winds and storms
Baker's exceptional safety means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate baseline protection; prioritize confirming strong hurricane and wind coverage given the 76.35 hurricane score. Flood insurance remains optional at your discretion, given the county's 13.07 flood risk.