Breckinridge County's composite score of 77.2 smashes the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties among this cohort. This strong showing reflects excellent tax efficiency and affordable housing combined.
2 / 5
Above Kentucky's State Benchmark
With a score of 77.2, Breckinridge exceeds Kentucky's average of 75.0 and ranks in the state's upper echelon of counties. It's one of only two counties in this group outperforming statewide norms.
3 / 5
Best-in-Class Tax and Housing Scores
Breckinridge leads with a Tax Score of 85.3 (0.605% effective rate—the lowest here) and a Cost Score of 85.9, offering median home values at $141,400 and rents at $730/month. These dimensions make it a genuinely tax-efficient, affordable county.
4 / 5
Income Remains Below Peer Level
The Income Score of 18.4 reflects a median household income of $53,673, trailing regional and national earnings benchmarks and limiting wealth accumulation. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Ideal for Tax-Savvy, Budget-First Movers
Breckinridge County appeals to retirees, tax-conscious professionals, and those escaping high-cost metros who prioritize low tax burden and affordable shelter. It's a smart pick if you value fiscal efficiency and modest living costs over high local wages.
Breckinridge County's composite score of 77.2 smashes the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties among this cohort. This strong showing reflects excellent tax efficiency and affordable housing combined.
Above Kentucky's State Benchmark
With a score of 77.2, Breckinridge exceeds Kentucky's average of 75.0 and ranks in the state's upper echelon of counties. It's one of only two counties in this group outperforming statewide norms.
Best-in-Class Tax and Housing Scores
Breckinridge leads with a Tax Score of 85.3 (0.605% effective rate—the lowest here) and a Cost Score of 85.9, offering median home values at $141,400 and rents at $730/month. These dimensions make it a genuinely tax-efficient, affordable county.
Income Remains Below Peer Level
The Income Score of 18.4 reflects a median household income of $53,673, trailing regional and national earnings benchmarks and limiting wealth accumulation. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
Ideal for Tax-Savvy, Budget-First Movers
Breckinridge County appeals to retirees, tax-conscious professionals, and those escaping high-cost metros who prioritize low tax burden and affordable shelter. It's a smart pick if you value fiscal efficiency and modest living costs over high local wages.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Breckinridge County's effective tax rate of 0.605% is the lowest among these eight counties and well below the national median. At the national median home value of $281,900, a Breckinridge resident would owe approximately $1,706 annually—$984 less than typical U.S. homeowners.
Breckinridge ranks among Kentucky's lowest
At 0.605%, Breckinridge County's effective rate sits below the state average of 0.719%, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in Kentucky. This favorable rate benefits residents with median home values of $141,400.
Breckinridge and Butler lead with lowest rates
Breckinridge's 0.605% rate and Butler County's 0.563% are the two lowest in this eight-county group, offering significant savings compared to regional peers. Breckinridge residents pay just $855 annually in median property taxes—among the lowest in the survey.
Breckinridge keeps property taxes minimal
The median Breckinridge County home valued at $141,400 carries an annual property tax of just $855. With mortgage deductions, that climbs to $1,113; without them, it drops to $693.
Even low-rate counties deserve assessment review
Though Breckinridge offers favorable tax rates, homeowners should still verify their assessments match current market values. An appeal is straightforward and could yield modest but meaningful savings even in a county as tax-efficient as this.
Breckinridge County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% sits below the national average, with a median rent of $730 monthly that ranks among Kentucky's most economical. Renters here maintain stronger financial flexibility than their typical American counterparts.
Slightly above state average affordability
Breckinridge County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio edges slightly above Kentucky's 17.0% state average, positioning it near the middle of statewide affordability rankings. While not among the cheapest, Breckinridge offers reasonable rental access relative to local incomes.
Competitive rents, mid-range home prices
Breckinridge County's $730 monthly rent competes favorably with peers like Bourbon and Bracken, undercutting Boyd significantly. Its median home value of $141,400 sits between ultra-low Boyd/Bracken options and pricier Bourbon/Boyle markets, offering middle-ground homebuying.
Balanced housing for modest incomes
With a median household income of $53,673—the lowest among these eight counties—Breckinridge residents allocate 16.3% to rent ($730) or 13.9% to homeownership ($623). The notably lower ownership costs suggest Breckinridge homebuyers enjoy genuine affordability advantages over renters.
Breckinridge favors budget homebuyers
If homeownership on a tight budget is your goal, Breckinridge County's $623 monthly ownership costs and $141,400 median home values are exceptional values. Renters should note that rents here run slightly above state average, so compare costs carefully.
Breckinridge County's median household income of $53,673 lags the national median of $74,755 by 28%. This income shortfall reflects broader rural Kentucky economic conditions.
Below-average income for Kentucky
Breckinridge County's $53,673 median household income falls slightly below Kentucky's state average of $55,909. Per capita income of $29,163 also trails the state benchmark of $29,616.
Lower-earning county in the group
Breckinridge County earns less than six of the eight counties in this analysis, though it outpaces only Breathitt County ($41,101) and Butler County ($52,003). Regional economic pressures weigh here.
Housing costs manageable despite lower wages
Breckinridge County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% is slightly elevated but still acceptable, and median home values of $141,400 remain accessible. Housing affordability provides relief from income constraints.
Small steps toward financial goals
With more modest income levels, Breckinridge County residents benefit from starting small with savings—even $25 per paycheck compounds significantly over decades. Look for no-fee or low-fee banking and investment options to maximize every dollar.
Breckinridge County residents live an average of 72.3 years, nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 29.0% of adults report poor or fair health—the second-highest rate in this analysis and well above national levels. The discrepancy signals significant health challenges beyond longevity.
Slightly above state average, poor health
At 72.3 years, Breckinridge County's life expectancy edges just 0.1 years above Kentucky's state average of 72.2 years, but its 29.0% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the state trend. The county is among Kentucky's lowest performers on health perception, suggesting chronic disease and preventable illness burden. Health improvement is urgent.
Worst health perception in region
Breckinridge County's 29.0% poor/fair health rate is the second-worst in this analysis and significantly exceeds all nearby peers, including Bourbon (22.6%) and Boyd (21.9%). Its 72.3-year life expectancy is below regional average, and provider access is limited with only 24 primary care and 90 mental health providers per 100,000. Chronic disease and preventive care gaps are evident.
Insurance gap above state average
Breckinridge County's uninsured rate of 8.2% exceeds Kentucky's 7.0% average, meaning roughly 1 in 12 residents lack coverage. With limited provider access (24 primary care, 90 mental health per 100,000), uninsured residents face compounded barriers to care and disease management.
Coverage is your first step
With 8.2% of Breckinridge County residents uninsured, securing health coverage is critical and urgent. Apply for Medicaid or explore marketplace plans immediately—coverage opens the door to preventive care, chronic disease management, and the health improvements your community needs.
With a composite risk score of 39.54 and a Very Low rating, Breckinridge County is safer than the national average of roughly 50. This below-average risk profile provides residents with relatively stable natural disaster conditions.
Breckinridge edges below Kentucky's average
Breckinridge County's score of 39.54 sits just below Kentucky's state average of 44.21, placing it in the safer half of the commonwealth's counties. Residents here face somewhat lower disaster exposure than the typical Kentuckian.
Safe relative to western Kentucky counties
Breckinridge County's Very Low rating compares favorably to neighboring western and central Kentucky counties with higher composite risk scores. Its position along the Ohio River does create some flood vulnerability, but overall hazard exposure remains moderate.
Tornadoes and earthquakes pose modest threats
Tornado risk (62.85) and earthquake risk (67.81) are Breckinridge County's leading hazards, though neither reaches critical thresholds. Flood risk (49.05) reflects river proximity but remains manageable with proper planning.
Standard coverage plus earthquake consideration
Comprehensive homeowners insurance protects against Breckinridge County's primary risks, though an earthquake rider may be worthwhile given the 67.81 seismic score. Annual policy reviews ensure your coverage keeps pace with property values and local conditions.