Breathitt County scores 76.8 on the composite index, topping the national median of 50.0 by more than half and ranking highest among these eight counties. This performance is driven primarily by extraordinary housing affordability in a rural mountain setting.
2 / 5
Above Kentucky's State Average
Breathitt's 76.8 score edges past Kentucky's 75.0 average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's counties and outperforming most peers in this cohort. It's one of the few counties in this group exceeding statewide expectations.
3 / 5
Unbeatable Cost of Housing
Breathitt's stunning Cost Score of 92.1 reflects median home values at just $61,800 and rents of only $543/month—the lowest in this county set. Paired with a 0.843% tax rate, the county offers extraordinary affordability for ultra-budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Significant Income Constraints
The Income Score of 10.2—the lowest among these eight counties—signals a median household income of only $41,101, limiting economic mobility and purchasing power outside housing. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment prevents a complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Haven for Extreme Budget Living
Breathitt County suits those prioritizing lowest-possible costs over job prospects—retirees with pensions, remote workers with stable income, or those seeking subsistence-level expenses. It's an excellent match if you're willing to accept limited local wage opportunities.
Breathitt County scores 76.8 on the composite index, topping the national median of 50.0 by more than half and ranking highest among these eight counties. This performance is driven primarily by extraordinary housing affordability in a rural mountain setting.
Above Kentucky's State Average
Breathitt's 76.8 score edges past Kentucky's 75.0 average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's counties and outperforming most peers in this cohort. It's one of the few counties in this group exceeding statewide expectations.
Unbeatable Cost of Housing
Breathitt's stunning Cost Score of 92.1 reflects median home values at just $61,800 and rents of only $543/month—the lowest in this county set. Paired with a 0.843% tax rate, the county offers extraordinary affordability for ultra-budget-conscious residents.
Significant Income Constraints
The Income Score of 10.2—the lowest among these eight counties—signals a median household income of only $41,101, limiting economic mobility and purchasing power outside housing. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment prevents a complete livability picture.
Haven for Extreme Budget Living
Breathitt County suits those prioritizing lowest-possible costs over job prospects—retirees with pensions, remote workers with stable income, or those seeking subsistence-level expenses. It's an excellent match if you're willing to accept limited local wage opportunities.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Breathitt's rate competitive, homes most affordable
Breathitt County's effective tax rate of 0.843% remains below most national benchmarks, and its median home value of $61,800 is the lowest in the nation by a wide margin. Breathitt residents pay just $521 annually in property taxes—the lowest among these eight counties and a fraction of the national median.
Breathitt rate slightly above state average
At 0.843%, Breathitt County's effective rate exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, though the difference is modest. The county's very affordable housing stock keeps absolute tax bills low despite the above-average rate.
Breathitt combines low rates with low values
Breathitt's 0.843% rate ranks fourth among the eight counties, but its median home value of $61,800 is the lowest by far. This combination results in the lowest median property tax payment of just $521 annually in the entire group.
Breathitt's most affordable tax footprint
The median Breathitt County home valued at $61,800 generates an annual property tax of only $521. With mortgage deductions included, the bill rises to $934; without them, it drops to $428.
Even in Breathitt, review your assessment
While Breathitt's absolute tax bills are modest, assessment errors still matter proportionally to homeowners' incomes here. If your property was last assessed several years ago or your home's condition has deteriorated, an appeal could further reduce your annual costs.
Breathitt County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% beats the national average, with a median rent of just $543 monthly—roughly 28% below the typical American renter's burden. The county's low-income economy creates genuinely affordable rental housing, though household incomes lag significantly behind national norms.
Affordable despite lower incomes
Breathitt County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio compares favorably to Kentucky's 17.0% state average, even as its median household income of $41,101 runs 27% below the state norm. This rare affordability advantage stems from exceptionally low rents rather than robust incomes.
Dramatically cheaper than most peers
Breathitt County's $543 rent is $200+ cheaper than neighbors Bourbon, Boyd, and Boyle, and its $61,800 median home value is half that of most regional peers. For renters and buyers on extremely tight budgets, Breathitt delivers unmatched cost savings.
Lowest costs, lowest incomes trade-off
Breathitt County's median household income of $41,101 is the lowest in this group, but housing costs mirror that reality—$543 rent and $450 home ownership payments stay proportionally affordable. The challenge here isn't affordability ratios but rather the absolute income levels available in this economically distressed county.
Breathitt for rock-bottom housing costs
If housing affordability is your sole metric, Breathitt County offers Kentucky's cheapest rents and home values—but weigh this against limited job opportunities and lower income levels. Consider Breathitt as a remote-work haven or retirement destination where your dollars stretch furthest.
Breathitt County's median household income of $41,101 is 45% below the national median of $74,755, the largest gap in this group. This reflects acute economic challenges in eastern Kentucky's coal-dependent regions.
Bottom tier statewide income ranking
Breathitt County's $41,101 median household income ranks well below Kentucky's state average of $55,909, placing it among the state's lowest-income counties. Per capita income of $23,544 trails the state average by 20%.
Significantly lower than peer counties
Breathitt County earns substantially less than all nearby counties—Boyle ($61,635), Boyd ($60,659), and even Breckinridge ($53,673). Income challenges here are more severe than in neighboring communities.
Low housing costs offset low wages
At 15.8%, Breathitt County's rent-to-income ratio remains manageable despite modest overall earnings. Median home values of $61,800—the lowest in this group—mean housing affordability isn't the primary challenge; wage growth is.
Invest in skills and opportunities
Breathitt County residents should prioritize career development and education as pathways to higher earnings. Even modest contributions to savings accounts and micro-investment platforms can compound into financial security over time.
Breathitt County residents live an average of just 67.5 years—almost 9 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Over 26.8% of adults report poor or fair health, the highest rate in this regional analysis. These figures mark Breathitt County as one of Kentucky's most health-challenged communities.
Among Kentucky's worst outcomes
At 67.5 years, Breathitt County's life expectancy is 4.7 years below Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, placing it among the state's lowest-ranked counties. Its 26.8% poor/fair health rate is the highest in this analysis, signaling significant health disparities. Urgent intervention is needed to reverse these trends.
Severe health disadvantage
Breathitt County's 67.5-year life expectancy trails all regional peers, including Bourbon (73.8) and even Bracken (71.5). Its 26.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds every other county analyzed, reflecting compounded challenges. The county provides 44 primary care and 239 mental health providers per 100,000—moderate access that cannot offset broader health crises.
Insurance gaps amid crisis
Breathitt County's uninsured rate of 6.7% is below state average, but many residents struggle with affordability and access even when insured. With 44 primary care providers per 100,000, the county faces both coverage and capacity challenges that limit everyday healthcare availability.
Take action on coverage now
Breathitt County faces a health crisis requiring immediate action—if you're among the 6.7% without insurance, enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan today. Once covered, connect with local health clinics and community resources to address the underlying health challenges facing your family.
Breathitt County's composite risk score of 64.66 and Relatively Low rating sit 30% above the national average of roughly 50. This elevated score reflects significant exposure to multiple natural hazards, particularly in flood and wildfire-prone Appalachian terrain.
Breathitt ranks above Kentucky's average
With a score of 64.66, Breathitt County substantially exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the higher-risk tier of commonwealth counties. Only the state's most hazardous counties face comparable natural disaster exposure.
Highest hazard in southeastern Kentucky
Breathitt County's flood risk (82.35) and wildfire risk (69.91) are among the most severe in the eastern Appalachian region, driven by rugged terrain and dense forests. These twin threats substantially exceed the risks faced in neighboring lower-elevation counties.
Flooding and wildfires dominate Breathitt's profile
Flood risk (82.35) and wildfire risk (69.91) are Breathitt County's critical concerns, with both reaching dangerous levels due to Appalachian topography and forest cover. Earthquake risk (41.63) ranks third and merits attention in seismic planning.
Flood and wildfire coverage are non-negotiable
Breathitt County residents must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program—standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Add wildfire-resistant home improvements and comprehensive coverage to protect against the county's dual greatest threats.