CountyScore

Buchanan County

Missouri · MO

#100 in Missouri
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Buchanan County, Missouri

Buchanan ranks solidly above national averages

Buchanan County's composite score of 72.1 nearly 45% higher than the national median of 50.0, indicating strong overall livability. It remains just slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, reflecting competitive positioning regionally.

Buchanan sits near the middle of Missouri counties

With a score of 72.1 versus the state average of 74.8, Buchanan County performs slightly below the statewide typical, placing it in the middle tier of Missouri's county livability rankings.

Balanced affordability and manageable taxes

Buchanan County delivers solid cost-of-living value with a Cost Score of 78.8 and median home values of $156,600, paired with a Tax Score of 79.8 and effective rate of 0.800%. Renters enjoy moderate gross rent at $889 per month.

Income levels lag behind regional peers

The Income Score of 22.2 and median household income of $59,423 suggest economic constraints relative to other counties in this analysis. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Suits budget-minded families seeking stability

Buchanan County appeals to middle-income families and workers valuing balanced affordability and tax relief over maximum earning potential or urban polish. Its steady, moderate profile makes it a reliable smaller-city option.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.8Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.2Risk25.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.6
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 Buchanan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Terrell County
Georgia
66.1
Median income: $43,812
Ada County
Idaho
66.1
Median income: $88,907
Edwards County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $53,792
Harvey County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $73,269
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Median income: $92,266

Deep Dives

Buchanan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Buchanan County

via TaxByCounty

Buchanan County sits near national average

At 0.800%, Buchanan County's effective tax rate sits above the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the middle-upper range of U.S. counties. Residents pay $1,253 annually on a median home of $156,600—less than half the national median property tax.

Above-average taxing in Missouri

Buchanan's 0.800% rate surpasses Missouri's 0.733% state average by 9%, making it a higher-taxed county statewide. The median annual tax of $1,253 runs 5% above Missouri's $1,199 median.

Northwest Missouri's tax comparison

Buchanan County (0.800%) sits above Caldwell County (0.785%) but below Boone County (0.878%) regionally. Home to St. Joseph, Buchanan's moderate tax rate reflects its mid-sized urban character in northwest Missouri.

Buchanan homeowners' annual tax bill

Owners of a median-valued $156,600 home in Buchanan pay $1,253 per year in property taxes—roughly $104 monthly. Those with mortgages average $1,299 annually when escrow is included.

Buchanan County: Check your assessment

Overassessments affect homeowners at every tax rate. In Buchanan County, filing an appeal could reduce your taxable valuation and save hundreds annually if market data supports a lower figure.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Buchanan County

via CostByCounty

Buchanan residents stretch to afford rent

At 17.9%, Buchanan County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average and Missouri's 15.6% state norm. Median rent of $889 monthly eats into household income of $59,423, creating affordability headwinds for renters.

Second-worst affordability in Missouri

Buchanan County ranks second-worst in this group with a 17.9% rent-to-income ratio, trailing only Boone County's college-town spike. The median rent of $889 runs $121 above the state average, squeezing renters with below-average income.

Costlier than nearby Callaway

Buchanan County renters pay $889 monthly (17.9% of income) compared to Callaway's more manageable $850 (14.0%), despite similar household incomes. The $111 annual rent premium adds up—and so does the affordability gap versus Caldwell County at just 12.1%.

Split down the middle

Buchanan County households earn $59,423 annually, with renters paying $889 monthly (17.9%) and homeowners facing $890 in monthly costs on median homes worth $156,600. Owner and renter burdens are nearly identical, indicating steady—if constrained—affordability across tenure types.

Buchanan works if you prioritize location

If you're relocating to Buchanan County, budget for the second-highest housing costs in this region at 17.9% of income. Nearby Callaway and Caldwell offer significantly better affordability for similar employment and quality of life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Buchanan County

via IncomeByCounty

Buchanan trails national income standard

Buchanan County's median household income of $59,423 falls about $15,300 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 20% income gap. The county ranks below the national average, indicating lower earning capacity than the typical U.S. community.

Slightly above Missouri average

At $59,423, Buchanan's median household income nearly matches Missouri's state average of $59,503—placing the county close to the state middle. The county's per capita income of $32,930 exceeds the state average of $31,011, suggesting broader wealth distribution.

Midrange earner in region

Buchanan's $59,423 income positions it between higher-earning Boone County ($69,913) and lower-earning Butler County ($49,213). The county's economy reflects its role as a manufacturing and regional services hub in northwest Missouri.

Reasonable housing affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.9%, Buchanan households spend a manageable share of earnings on rent, leaving room for savings and discretionary spending. The median home value of $156,600 aligns well with local income levels, making homeownership achievable.

Capture employer retirement benefits

Buchanan residents should prioritize claiming any employer 401(k) match—essentially free money—before funding other savings goals. Consistent contributions to retirement and emergency accounts build resilience against economic downturns common in manufacturing-dependent regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Buchanan County

via HealthByCounty

Buchanan trails national health benchmarks

Residents live to 73.4 years on average—5.6 years below the U.S. average of 79 years. Nearly 20% report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 18%, indicating sustained healthcare challenges in this northwest Missouri county.

Below-average outcomes within Missouri

Buchanan's 73.4-year life expectancy falls short of Missouri's 74.3-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 12.1% uninsured rate runs just below the state average, but the 19.8% poor/fair health rate signals ongoing wellness disparities.

Moderate provider access amid regional variation

Buchanan's 66 primary care providers per 100K fall below Boone County's 118 but exceed rural peers like Caldwell County's 11. At 223 mental health providers per 100K, Buchanan offers mid-range behavioral health access compared to its surrounding counties.

Decent provider access masks health gaps

While Buchanan maintains 66 primary care providers per 100K and reasonable mental health support at 223 per 100K, the 12.1% uninsured rate still leaves about 1 in 8 residents without coverage. These gaps correlate with the county's elevated poor/fair health reports.

Find affordable coverage for your family

Buchanan's 12% uninsured rate suggests many are navigating coverage gaps—marketplace plans with tax credits are available annually starting November. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore options that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Buchanan County

via RiskByCounty

Buchanan faces moderate disaster exposure

Buchanan County's composite risk score of 74.36 sits above the national average with a Relatively Low rating. The county experiences meaningful natural disaster risk, particularly from tornadoes and flooding.

Moderate risk among Missouri counties

At 74.36, Buchanan's score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by nearly 24 points, placing it in the higher-risk group statewide. This elevated exposure warrants active homeowner preparation.

Higher risk than western peers

Buchanan's score of 74.36 exceeds Callaway County (63.93) to the south but trails Butler County (83.11) to the southeast. The county sits in the middle range for its region.

Tornadoes and floods lead threats

Tornado risk registers at 89.73, making severe weather the dominant concern, while flood risk of 68.51 poses a secondary threat. Earthquakes score 45.04, a notably lower concern than regional peers.

Prioritize flood and tornado coverage

With tornado risk at 89.73 and flood risk at 68.51, Buchanan residents need comprehensive coverage beyond standard homeowners insurance. A separate flood policy and regular safety drills for severe weather are practical investments.

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.