With a composite score of 71.3, Ben Hill County ranks well above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 43rd percentile nationally. This rural Georgia county demonstrates that affordability and manageable taxes don't require proximity to major metros.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Georgia's Middle
Ben Hill's 71.3 score edges out Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it solidly in the middle tier among the state's counties. The county holds its own among Georgia's diverse landscape of rural and urban communities.
3 / 5
Affordability Is the Clear Win
Ben Hill shines in cost of living, with a score of 86.1—reflected in median rent of just $692/month and home values around $114,600. The county also maintains a reasonable tax burden at 1.061% effective rate, scoring 72.4 on tax competitiveness.
4 / 5
Income Remains a Significant Gap
The county's income score of 8.9 reflects a median household income of $39,081—notably below both state and national averages. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors lack available data, limiting a fuller picture of livability.
5 / 5
Best for Cost-Conscious Families
Ben Hill County suits budget-focused households and retirees seeking low housing costs and minimal tax burden in rural Georgia. The trade-off is lower incomes, making it most appealing to those with remote work, pensions, or whose income needs align with the local economy.
With a composite score of 71.3, Ben Hill County ranks well above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 43rd percentile nationally. This rural Georgia county demonstrates that affordability and manageable taxes don't require proximity to major metros.
Slightly Above Georgia's Middle
Ben Hill's 71.3 score edges out Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it solidly in the middle tier among the state's counties. The county holds its own among Georgia's diverse landscape of rural and urban communities.
Affordability Is the Clear Win
Ben Hill shines in cost of living, with a score of 86.1—reflected in median rent of just $692/month and home values around $114,600. The county also maintains a reasonable tax burden at 1.061% effective rate, scoring 72.4 on tax competitiveness.
Income Remains a Significant Gap
The county's income score of 8.9 reflects a median household income of $39,081—notably below both state and national averages. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors lack available data, limiting a fuller picture of livability.
Best for Cost-Conscious Families
Ben Hill County suits budget-focused households and retirees seeking low housing costs and minimal tax burden in rural Georgia. The trade-off is lower incomes, making it most appealing to those with remote work, pensions, or whose income needs align with the local economy.
Score breakdown
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🏛72.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Ben Hill County's effective tax rate of 1.061% runs higher than Georgia's average of 0.898% and well above the national median of 0.87%. This puts the county in roughly the 60th percentile nationally—higher than most American counties, though not among the steepest.
A Middle Performer Among Georgia Counties
Ben Hill ranks in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties by effective tax rate. The county's $1,216 median property tax is below the state average of $1,529, reflecting its lower median home values of $114,600 compared to the statewide median.
Higher Taxes Than Most Regional Peers
Ben Hill's 1.061% rate exceeds neighboring Berrien County (0.989%) and Bleckley County (1.082% but lower absolute taxes). Among the eight-county sample, only Brooks County at 1.281% and Brantley County at 1.120% tax at notably steeper rates.
A $114,600 Home Costs $1,216 Annually
The typical Ben Hill County homeowner with a $114,600 property pays $1,216 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages typically pay $1,390 due to escrow requirements; those without mortgages pay $943.
Your Assessment Might Be Too High
Many homeowners across Georgia discover their properties are overassessed during county reassessments. Ben Hill residents should verify their home's assessed value against recent sales of comparable properties and consider filing a formal appeal if they believe their assessment is inflated.
Renters in Ben Hill County spend 21.3% of their household income on rent, well above the national benchmark where housing should consume no more than 30% but ideally closer to 28%. This burden hits harder here than nationwide, where median household income reaches $74,755 compared to Ben Hill's $39,081.
Above Georgia's affordability line
At 21.3%, Ben Hill's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the less affordable counties statewide. The county's median rent of $692 runs $235 cheaper than Georgia's state average of $927, but incomes lag further behind, creating the affordability gap.
Affordable compared to nearby peers
Ben Hill's $692 rent undercuts most neighboring counties—Bibb County averages $1,026 and Bleckley $765. However, Ben Hill's lower incomes mean residents feel the squeeze more acutely than neighbors with similar or higher rents.
Renters and owners face similar pressures
Monthly rent averages $692 while homeowners pay $654 in costs on median homes valued at $114,600. With median household income at $39,081 annually, housing consumes over one-fifth of what families earn each month.
Consider Ben Hill for true affordability
If you're relocating on a modest budget, Ben Hill offers some of Georgia's lowest rents and home values. Compare these numbers carefully with counties like Bibb or Bulloch, where higher incomes may offset higher housing costs for your specific situation.
Ben Hill County's median household income of $39,081 falls 48% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationally. This gap signals economic challenges that require targeted workforce development and business investment to close.
One of Georgia's lowest-income counties
At $39,081, Ben Hill ranks in the bottom tier among Georgia's 159 counties, earning $21,407 less than the state median of $60,488. Only a handful of Georgia counties report lower household incomes.
Income trails all neighboring counties
Ben Hill's $39,081 median income falls short of every adjacent county, including Berrien ($50,414) and Bleckley ($53,005). The disparity suggests Ben Hill faces distinct economic headwinds compared to its regional peers.
Rent consumes manageable but tight share
At 21.3%, Ben Hill's rent-to-income ratio sits within acceptable bounds, though it edges above the ideal 20% threshold. With limited household income, residents have little cushion for other expenses like healthcare, childcare, and transportation.
Build emergency savings before investing
Ben Hill residents earning $39,081 should prioritize establishing a 3–6 month emergency fund before pursuing investments. Once that foundation is secure, even modest monthly contributions to retirement accounts can compound significantly over time.
At 69.7 years, Ben Hill County residents live nearly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The county's poor or fair health rate of 28.1% far exceeds the national benchmark, signaling significant underlying health challenges in the community.
Among Georgia's healthiest gap counties
Ben Hill's life expectancy of 69.7 years trails Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 3.6 years, placing it in the lower quartile of Georgia counties. The 28.1% poor or fair health rate exceeds the state trend, reflecting concentrated health disparities.
Competing challenges in rural south Georgia
Ben Hill (69.7 years) sits between Brantley County (71.5 years) and Brooks County (73.9 years), showing significant variation even among neighboring rural communities. The county's 28.1% poor health rate is notably higher than Bleckley County's 19.6%, suggesting localized health barriers.
Strong primary care, but mental health gaps
Ben Hill offers 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—above the rural average—yet mental health provider availability at 41 per 100,000 remains constrained. The uninsured rate of 15.0% matches Georgia's state average, though financial barriers still affect care access for vulnerable residents.
Find your health coverage path
One in six Ben Hill residents lacks health insurance. Check healthcare.gov or Georgia's health marketplace to explore plans, Medicaid eligibility, and subsidies that could reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Ben Hill County scores 25.41 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—significantly safer than the U.S. average of roughly 50. This county faces lower overall exposure to natural hazards compared to most American communities.
Among Georgia's safest counties
Ben Hill ranks among Georgia's lowest-risk counties with a composite score of 25.41, well below the state average of 39.49. Only a small share of Georgia counties maintain this level of natural disaster resilience.
Safer than nearby counties
Ben Hill's 25.41 score edges out Bleckley County (25.67) and substantially undercuts Berrien County (39.31) and Brooks County (42.11). This positions Ben Hill as one of the more protected rural communities in south-central Georgia.
Hurricanes and tornadoes pose greatest threats
Ben Hill's hurricane risk score of 77.22 and tornado risk of 64.66 represent its most significant natural hazard exposures, though both remain below state averages for these hazards. Flooding risk is comparatively modest at 23.25, reflecting the county's terrain and drainage patterns.
Ensure coverage for wind and severe storms
While Ben Hill's overall risk is low, homeowners should prioritize wind and hail coverage given tornado and hurricane threat levels. Standard homeowners policies typically cover tornado damage, but review your deductibles and ensure you're adequately protected for severe weather events.