Brown County's composite score of 71.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the top tier of American counties for livability. This outstanding performance reflects exceptional tax efficiency and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Kansas' second-strongest county in this group
Brown County's 71.1 score ranks second only to Atchison County among the eight counties examined, exceeding Kansas' state average of 66.0 by 5.1 points. This positions Brown County as one of Kansas' most livable regions.
3 / 5
Exceptional tax advantages and housing affordability
Brown County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 1.248% (tax score 67.2) and the highest cost score at 86.3, with rent averaging just $675/month. Median home values of $111,100 create outstanding affordability for homebuyers.
4 / 5
Income opportunities lag behind tax advantages
Brown County's income score of 21.8 with median household earnings of $58,886 indicates limited high-wage employment opportunities despite strong tax benefits. Complete assessment is constrained by missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious households seeking value
Brown County is perfect for families, retirees, and individuals prioritizing maximum purchasing power through low taxes and minimal housing costs. The exceptional affordability makes this county one of Kansas' best options for those building savings or living on limited incomes.
Brown County's composite score of 71.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the top tier of American counties for livability. This outstanding performance reflects exceptional tax efficiency and housing affordability.
Kansas' second-strongest county in this group
Brown County's 71.1 score ranks second only to Atchison County among the eight counties examined, exceeding Kansas' state average of 66.0 by 5.1 points. This positions Brown County as one of Kansas' most livable regions.
Exceptional tax advantages and housing affordability
Brown County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 1.248% (tax score 67.2) and the highest cost score at 86.3, with rent averaging just $675/month. Median home values of $111,100 create outstanding affordability for homebuyers.
Income opportunities lag behind tax advantages
Brown County's income score of 21.8 with median household earnings of $58,886 indicates limited high-wage employment opportunities despite strong tax benefits. Complete assessment is constrained by missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions.
Ideal for cost-conscious households seeking value
Brown County is perfect for families, retirees, and individuals prioritizing maximum purchasing power through low taxes and minimal housing costs. The exceptional affordability makes this county one of Kansas' best options for those building savings or living on limited incomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛67.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Brown County's effective tax rate of 1.248% falls well below the national median of 1.4%, placing it in the bottom 20% for property tax burden across America. Homeowners pay just $1,387 annually—49% below the national median of $2,690—combining a low rate with modest Kansas home values.
Lowest-taxing county in Kansas
Brown County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in Kansas at 1.248%, substantially below the state average of 1.549%. The median tax of $1,387 ranks among Kansas's lowest, making Brown County exceptionally affordable for property owners.
Clear tax advantage statewide
Brown County's 1.248% rate is the lowest among all profiled neighbors, including Atchison County (1.312%), Anderson County (1.528%), and Allen County (1.652%). Homeowners save hundreds annually compared to nearby counties due to Brown's uncommonly favorable tax structure.
Your Brown County tax bill
A homeowner with a $111,100 property in Brown County pays roughly $1,387 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage considerations, the bill rises to approximately $1,546, or falls to $1,292 without mortgage-related additions.
Maintain your tax advantage
Brown County residents already enjoy Kansas's lowest tax rates, but periodic assessment reviews ensure fairness. Even in favorable tax climates, overassessments occur—a successful appeal protects your substantial tax advantage long-term.
Brown County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% stands among America's lowest, nearly matching Bourbon's benchmark and sitting well below national affordability stress levels. At just $675 monthly rent against $58,886 household income, Brown delivers genuine housing accessibility.
Brown County affordability tops Kansas
Brown County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio edges out Bourbon's 13.9%, ranking it the state's most affordable county in this analysis. The median rent of $675 represents the lowest in any county examined, undercutting the Kansas average of $787 by $112 monthly.
Brown County stands out regionally
Brown's $675 rent dramatically undercuts regional peers like Atchison ($756) and Anderson ($792), offering $81 to $117 monthly savings. Combined with its 13.8% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest statewide—Brown emerges as the region's affordability leader.
Brown County's lean housing budget
Brown households earning $58,886 spend just $675 for rent (13.8% of income) or $668 for mortgages, among the most conservative ratios analyzed. Median home values of $111,100 remain modest, making both rental and ownership pathways genuinely accessible for typical earners.
Brown County delivers unmatched affordability
For renters and homebuyers prioritizing maximum affordability, Brown County stands undefeated—lowest rents ($675), lowest rent-to-income ratios (13.8%), and modest home values all align. Relocate to Brown if housing cost relief and financial flexibility matter most to your family's future.
Brown County's median household income of $58,886 sits 21% below the national median of $74,755. The gap reflects challenges faced by rural Midwestern counties dependent on agriculture and small-scale manufacturing.
Below Kansas state median
Brown County's median household income of $58,886 trails the Kansas state average of $64,428 by $5,542 annually. The per capita income of $31,355 also falls short of the state per capita average of $34,748.
Mid-range rural income level
Brown County's $58,886 median income places it between lower-earning Allen ($57,618) and higher-earning Anderson ($64,925). The county reflects typical northeast Kansas rural economics with modest employment growth.
Strong housing affordability ratio
Brown County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% is among the most favorable in the region, with residents spending relatively little of earnings on housing. The median home value of $111,100 remains accessible for households at or near the county average income.
Leverage affordability to save
Brown County households earning $58,886 can allocate $5,888-$8,832 annually to savings and investments. The county's favorable housing ratio creates opportunity to direct additional income toward retirement accounts, education savings, and long-term wealth accumulation.
At 72.9 years, Brown County ranks lowest in this group—more than 7 years below the U.S. average of 80.1 years. However, its 15.8% poor/fair health rate is the second-best here, suggesting some positive health behaviors offset by other mortality drivers.
State's lowest life expectancy
Brown County's 72.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in Kansas, trailing the state average of 75.4 years by 2.5 years. This critical gap demands urgent attention to underlying health and social factors.
Highest providers, lowest outcomes
Brown County paradoxically has the highest primary care density (85 per 100K) and the second-highest mental health providers (357 per 100K) in this peer group, yet the lowest life expectancy. This disconnect suggests provider supply alone doesn't solve deep population health or socioeconomic drivers.
Rich provider network, mortality crisis
Brown County's 12.2% uninsured rate aligns with state average, and at 85 primary care providers per 100K, the county has strong care supply. Yet the 72.9-year life expectancy indicates that access and availability don't address underlying determinants of health—suggesting poverty, substance use, or other social factors drive outcomes.
Coverage is necessary, not sufficient
Brown County's provider availability is excellent, but 12.2% still lack insurance—and this gap can be fatal in a county with such low life expectancy. Get covered now and engage with local health centers and community services that address the root causes of early mortality.
Brown County scores 15.33 on the national composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's overall risk remains minimal by U.S. standards despite modest elevation in tornado and wildfire exposure. This favorable standing reflects Brown County's northern Kansas geography and relative distance from major hazard zones.
Among Kansas's safest counties
Brown County's composite risk of 15.33 is just 51% of the Kansas state average of 29.89, ranking it firmly in the state's lower-risk tier. The county benefits from particularly low flood (17.65) and earthquake (22.17) exposure relative to other Kansas communities. This safety advantage is notable across the state's ranking.
Part of safe northeastern cluster
Brown County (15.33) ranks nearly identically to Allen County (15.27) and Atchison County (15.97), forming a cohesive low-risk cluster in northeastern Kansas. Anderson County (17.81) and Bourbon County (35.66) nearby show the beginning of risk escalation southward. This region represents Kansas's most resilient natural disaster environment.
Tornado and wildfire warrant planning
Brown County's tornado risk of 54.96 and wildfire risk of 71.41 are its most significant hazards, though the county's overall low exposure suggests they remain manageable with proper preparation. Flood risk (17.65) and earthquake exposure (22.17) are minimal concerns. Residents should focus preparedness efforts on spring tornado season and summer wildfire awareness.
Maintain basic disaster readiness
Brown County residents should establish a household emergency plan with tornado shelter location and severe weather warning systems as the priority. Wildfire awareness and defensible space, while less critical than in western Kansas, still warrant attention during dry seasons. Annual insurance reviews and emergency plan practice sessions help ensure household readiness across the county's modest hazard spectrum.