CountyScore

Benton County

Missouri · MO

#74 in Missouri
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Benton County, Missouri

Benton Delivers Strong National Performance

Benton County's composite score of 76.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 54%, ranking it among the strongest performers in this eight-county set. This reflects exceptional tax efficiency and solid housing affordability.

Among Missouri's Top County Performers

At 76.8, Benton County outpaces Missouri's state average of 74.8 by nearly 2 points, placing it solidly in the state's upper tier. It ranks as one of Missouri's stronger counties for livability.

Tax Rate and Housing Affordability Lead

Benton's tax score of 86.6 is the highest in this sample, reflecting a rock-bottom effective tax rate of 0.557%, while its cost score of 84.2 supports median home values of $164,700 and rent of $823/month. These create exceptional financial efficiency.

Income Potential Lags Behind Tax Savings

Benton's income score of 17.5 and median household income of $52,200 indicate the county's weak spot—limited earning opportunities and wage growth prospects. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured.

Perfect for Fixed-Income Retirees Seeking Efficiency

Benton County is tailor-made for retirees and others on fixed incomes who prize tax minimization and affordable living above wage potential. Its lowest-in-sample effective tax rate offers maximum purchasing power for those who've already earned their income.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.6Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.5Risk33.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Benton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Benton County

via TaxByCounty

Benton County offers the nation's lightest burden

Benton County's effective property tax rate of 0.557% ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, far below the national median of 0.863%. Homeowners here enjoy one of America's most tax-friendly environments.

Missouri's lowest-tax county here

At 0.557%, Benton County claims the lowest effective rate among all eight profiled counties and ranks in Missouri's bottom fifth overall. The median tax of $918 represents some of the lightest property tax bills in the state.

Tax rates drop sharply moving south

Benton County's 0.557% rate significantly undercuts northern counties, with only Bates County (0.621%) coming close among this cohort. Compare this to Atchison County (1.171%) or Audrain County (0.875%), and the difference becomes striking.

Lowest bills in the region

With median home values of $164,700 and a 0.557% rate, Benton County homeowners pay approximately $918 in annual property taxes. Even with mortgage escrow, the amount reaches just $934—exceptionally low by any standard.

Periodic assessment checks still matter

While Benton County offers low rates, homeowners should still verify their assessments against recent comparable sales. Even small errors in valuation can compound over decades of property ownership and taxation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Benton County

via CostByCounty

Benton's rent burden surpasses state and nation

Benton County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-worst among these eight counties, exceeding Missouri's 15.6% state average by 21%. With a median household income of just $52,200—30% below the national median—renters face significant affordability strain.

Benton ranks among Missouri's least affordable

Benton County stands near the bottom of Missouri's affordability rankings, with the second-highest rent-to-income ratio in this dataset and below-average household incomes. The county's housing costs consume an outsized share of local earnings.

Benton rents spike relative to low incomes

Benton's $823 median rent ranks fourth-highest in this group, yet its household income of $52,200 ranks lowest among homeowners, creating acute pressure. The county's higher Ozark location drives rents upward despite incomes lagging the rural state average.

Renters face maximum affordability pressure

Renters pay $823 monthly while homeowners invest $618, with median home values at $164,700 offering an ownership path to affordability relief. The $52,200 household income means renters dedicate 18.9% of gross earnings to housing—dangerously close to sustainability limits for working families.

Benton suits homebuyers more than renters

If you're relocating to Benton, prioritize homeownership: owner costs ($618) undercut rents by $205 monthly, providing immediate relief for families with down-payment capacity. Remote workers earning $60,000+ or career-established professionals should strongly consider this county; renters on typical Benton incomes face genuine affordability stress.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Benton County

via IncomeByCounty

Benton significantly below national income

Benton County's median household income of $52,200 falls $22,555 short of the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects a county economy with limited high-wage employment opportunities.

Lowest-earning in this analysis

At $52,200, Benton County's median household income ranks among the lowest in this eight-county study, trailing Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $7,303. The county faces economic challenges similar to Barton, with incomes well below state norms.

Below-average earner regionally

Benton's $52,200 median income ranks among the weakest in the region, exceeding only Barton County's $49,503. The county underperforms most neighbors, suggesting local job market limitations compared to surrounding areas.

Housing costs pressure budgets

Benton's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-highest in this analysis, approaching affordability stress for renters. The median home value of $164,700 consumes a substantial portion of household earnings, limiting discretionary savings for residents.

Benton households: prioritize foundations first

With income at $52,200, Benton residents must focus on budgeting and building emergency reserves before aggressive investing. Once housing costs are stabilized and savings cushions established, even modest contributions to retirement accounts will compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Benton County

via HealthByCounty

Benton trails U.S. health benchmarks

Benton County's 73.7-year life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 74.4 years, and 21.8% of residents report poor or fair health. These figures place Benton among America's weaker-performing counties for population health.

Benton ranks low statewide

Benton's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, ranking it among the state's lower-performing counties. Its 14.9% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties, creating a significant barrier to care access.

Among the region's most challenged

Benton's 73.7-year life expectancy is the region's lowest, slightly behind Audrain and Atchison (both 73.9). Its 14.9% uninsured rate is the highest among peers, indicating Benton faces compounded health and access challenges.

Fewest providers and most uninsured

Benton has just 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below adequate levels—while 14.9% of residents lack insurance, the highest rate in this cohort. This combination creates a dual crisis: few doctors and limited ability to pay for them.

Benton's uninsured rate demands action.

At 14.9% uninsured, Benton has the highest rate among these counties—one in six residents lacks coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 today to explore Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, and community health options that fit your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Benton County

via RiskByCounty

Benton faces above-average disaster risk

Benton County's composite risk score of 66.83 ranks in the Relatively Low category but sits 32% above Missouri's state average of 50.56. This elevated exposure reflects significant hazard threats across multiple disaster types in your region.

Benton ranks among higher-risk Missouri counties

Benton County places in the upper-middle tier of natural disaster risk statewide, with hazard exposure that exceeds most Missouri communities. Several counties carry higher risk, but your county sits well above the state median.

Similar risk to Barry County

Benton County's 66.83 score closely rivals neighboring Barry County (75.06) and substantially exceeds safer areas to the north. Your county sits in southwestern Missouri's elevated-risk zone, where multiple hazards converge.

Wildfire and tornado risks are significant

Wildfire risk leads Benton County at 69.47, with tornado exposure close behind at 74.65—making your county vulnerable to wind-driven disasters. Flood (67.37) and earthquake (59.41) risks are also notable, creating a complex hazard environment.

Multi-hazard coverage essential here

Benton County residents must secure windstorm, flood, and wildfire insurance coverage to address your county's overlapping hazard profile. Create defensible space around your home by clearing brush, and maintain a family communication plan for rapid evacuation scenarios.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.