Boyd County's composite score of 73.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 48%, ranking it well above typical U.S. counties. Exceptional housing affordability and economic stability drive this competitive national standing.
2 / 5
Above Average in Nebraska
At 73.9, Boyd County ranks above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it among the state's stronger performers. Its profile demonstrates effective management of core livability factors in a rural setting.
3 / 5
Exceptional Housing Affordability and Stability
Boyd County leads this group with the highest cost score of 86.7, featuring the lowest median home value at $104,000 and the lowest median rent at $650/month. Its risk score of 96.6 indicates outstanding economic stability, making it an exceptionally secure choice financially.
4 / 5
Income and Health Opportunities Limited
Boyd County's income score of 21.9 (the lowest in this group) reflects a median household income of $58,984, with limited earning potential. Its health score of 72.4 is also below-average, suggesting fewer healthcare resources or access challenges.
5 / 5
Ideal for Minimalist, Security-Focused Residents
Boyd County is perfect for retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers who prize maximum affordability and economic security above all else. Its ultra-low housing costs and exceptional financial stability make it a premier choice for those seeking to stretch limited budgets as far as possible.
Boyd County's composite score of 73.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 48%, ranking it well above typical U.S. counties. Exceptional housing affordability and economic stability drive this competitive national standing.
Above Average in Nebraska
At 73.9, Boyd County ranks above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it among the state's stronger performers. Its profile demonstrates effective management of core livability factors in a rural setting.
Exceptional Housing Affordability and Stability
Boyd County leads this group with the highest cost score of 86.7, featuring the lowest median home value at $104,000 and the lowest median rent at $650/month. Its risk score of 96.6 indicates outstanding economic stability, making it an exceptionally secure choice financially.
Income and Health Opportunities Limited
Boyd County's income score of 21.9 (the lowest in this group) reflects a median household income of $58,984, with limited earning potential. Its health score of 72.4 is also below-average, suggesting fewer healthcare resources or access challenges.
Ideal for Minimalist, Security-Focused Residents
Boyd County is perfect for retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers who prize maximum affordability and economic security above all else. Its ultra-low housing costs and exceptional financial stability make it a premier choice for those seeking to stretch limited budgets as far as possible.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Boyd County's effective tax rate of 1.219% sits just below the national median of 1.281%, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. The median property tax is $1,268, 53% below the national median of $2,690, because homes average $104,000 compared to the U.S. average of $281,900.
Boyd below-average for Nebraska taxes
At 1.219%, Boyd County's effective rate ranks in the lower-middle tier statewide, sitting 0.062 percentage points below Nebraska's 1.281% average. The $1,268 median tax is 36% below the state median of $1,972, offering rural families significant savings.
Boyd taxes nearly identical to Antelope
Boyd County (1.219% rate) mirrors neighboring Antelope County (1.220%) almost perfectly in effective tax rate, though Antelope homes are worth slightly more. Both counties significantly undercut regional peers like Banner (1.513%) and Box Butte (1.488%).
Median home tax $1,268 yearly
The typical Boyd County home valued at $104,000 generates an annual property tax of approximately $1,268, among Nebraska's lowest. This translates to roughly $106 monthly in escrow for mortgaged properties—excellent value for rural homeowners.
Rural properties often face unfair assessments
Boyd County's low home values can make assessment errors harder to spot, but overvaluations still hurt—requesting a reassessment is free and simple. Compare your assessed value to recent sales of similar properties in the county to ensure fairness.
Boyd County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio sits below both the national average and Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, despite the county's lowest median household income of $58,984 among peers. At just $650 monthly—the region's cheapest rent—Boyd delivers exceptional value for cost-conscious renters.
Nebraska's most budget-friendly rentals
Boyd County ranks as Nebraska's most affordable county for renters, combining the state's lowest rent ($650 monthly) with a 13.2% burden ratio that beats the state average. Though income trails peers, Boyd's ultra-low rents create genuine affordability for working households.
Clearly the regional rent leader
Boyd County's $650 monthly rent runs $96 below Antelope ($746), $136 below Blaine ($786), and $325 below Banner ($975)—the region's clear bargain leader. The county's $58,984 income is the lowest locally, yet renters still enjoy a comfortable 13.2% burden ratio thanks to dramatic rent savings.
Renters and homeowners find similar relief
Renters spend $650 monthly while homeowners invest $671—nearly identical and remarkably balanced against the $58,984 median income. Both housing types consume just 13.2-13.6% of earnings, an unusual alignment that suggests a stable, truly affordable local market.
Maximum affordability, minimum budget impact
Boyd County is Nebraska's ultimate affordable housing destination: rents hit just $650 monthly with a 13.2% burden ratio that leaves room for savings even at the county's below-average income. If you prioritize cost of living above all else, Boyd delivers unmatched value for rural Nebraska relocation.
Boyd County's median household income of $58,984 lags the national median of $74,755 by over $15,700. This represents one of the steepest income shortfalls among Nebraska counties.
Lowest earning in this group
At $58,984, Boyd County ranks well below Nebraska's state average of $66,880, placing it among the state's lowest-earning counties. Its per capita income of $36,652 exceeds the state average, indicating income concentration.
Struggles economically vs peers
Boyd County earns substantially less than all comparison counties except Blaine ($61,250), which it slightly trails. The county faces the tightest income constraints in this regional group.
Housing remains very affordable
Boyd County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% is competitive and well below the 30% benchmark, providing budget flexibility. Median home values of just $104,000 make homeownership highly accessible.
Harness affordability for growth
Boyd County residents can build substantial home equity quickly given the low median home value of $104,000 relative to local incomes. Prioritizing debt reduction and emergency savings creates a strong financial foundation for long-term wealth growth.
At 75.4 years, Boyd County residents live nearly a full year shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, marking significant health disadvantage. With 15.3% reporting poor or fair health and 8.8% uninsured, the county faces overlapping health crises of chronic disease and coverage gaps.
Bottom-tier longevity statewide
Boyd County's 75.4-year life expectancy is the shortest among measured Nebraska counties, ranking far below the state average of 77.5 years. The county's 8.8% uninsured rate is above state average, contributing to the health disadvantage through delayed preventive care and treatment.
Struggling region with concentrated pain
Boyd County's 75.4-year life expectancy represents the region's worst outcome, falling 4 years short of Antelope County's 79.8 years and nearly 4 years behind Boone County's 79.4. The 8.8% uninsured rate, while not as dire as Box Butte County's 10.9%, still leaves nearly one in eleven neighbors without coverage for preventive care.
Limited providers, elevated uninsured rate
Boyd County's 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents provide modest access compared to regional leaders, and the 8.8% uninsured rate means substantial portions of the population avoid seeking care. Mental health provider data is unavailable, yet the short life expectancy suggests unmet behavioral health needs alongside limited physical health capacity.
Urgent: expand coverage and care access
Boyd County's 8.8% uninsured rate—and shortest lifespan in the state—demand immediate action to close coverage gaps and connect residents to available providers. Visit healthcare.gov or call local health departments to enroll uninsured neighbors in marketplace plans, Medicaid, or employer coverage; every person covered strengthens the county's health trajectory.
With a composite risk score of 3.40, Boyd County ranks as very low nationally and significantly below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural disaster threats are genuinely minimal across all hazard categories.
Among Nebraska's safest counties
Boyd County's composite score of 3.40 is the fourth-lowest in Nebraska, with only Arthur County (0.29), Banner County (0.80), and Blaine County (0.45) rating lower. The county benefits from a balanced, minimal hazard profile.
Safe corner of northeastern Nebraska
Boyd County's score of 3.40 is lower than most statewide peers and substantially below higher-risk counties like Antelope (19.47) and Box Butte (20.96). Northeastern Nebraska's risk profile is genuinely favorable.
Wildfire is the only notable threat
Wildfire risk (52.35) is Boyd County's primary hazard, though still moderate nationally. Tornado (14.38), flood (6.04), and earthquake (3.40) risks all remain negligible.
Standard coverage protects Boyd County
Boyd County's exceptionally low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance is sufficient for most residents. Confirm wildfire exclusions with your insurer if you own wooded or grassland property; otherwise, Boyd County requires minimal specialized disaster protection.