CountyScore

Butler County

Missouri · MO

#103 in Missouri
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Butler County, Missouri

Butler outperforms the national livability norm

Butler County's composite score of 75.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 50%, signaling strong overall livability. It slightly edges out Missouri's state average of 74.8, marking it as a desirable county statewide.

Butler ranks above Missouri's typical county

At 75.3, Butler County scores marginally above Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the upper half of Missouri's counties. This solid ranking reflects balanced strength across measured dimensions.

Ultra-affordable housing and low tax burden

Butler County shines with a Cost Score of 84.2 and Tax Score of 83.3, backed by median home values of $138,800 and an effective tax rate of just 0.673%. Renters benefit from minimal gross rent of $768 per month—among the lowest in the state.

Income opportunities significantly constrained

The county's Income Score of 15.5 and median household income of $49,213 represent the lowest earnings profile in this cohort, indicating limited economic advancement. Complete health, safety, and school data would round out the livability picture.

Best for retirees and minimal-expense households

Butler County excels for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability over income growth and job opportunities. Its exceptional cost advantages make it ideal for those living lean.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.3Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.5Risk16.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.9
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 Butler County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Butler County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Butler County

via TaxByCounty

Butler County taxes well below national median

At 0.673%, Butler County's effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the bottom-middle tier nationwide. Homeowners pay just $934 annually on a median home of $138,800—one-third the national median property tax of $2,690.

Below Missouri's statewide average

Butler County's 0.673% rate runs slightly below Missouri's 0.733% state average, ranking it among the lower-taxed counties statewide. The median annual tax of $934 is 22% below Missouri's median of $1,199.

Southeast Missouri's affordable option

Butler (0.673%) taxes slightly higher than Bollinger County (0.614%) but lower than Cape Girardeau County (0.674%). Among the region's rural counties, Butler offers competitive property tax rates for homeowners.

What Butler County homeowners pay yearly

With a median home valued at $138,800 and a 0.673% effective rate, the typical Butler homeowner pays $934 annually—about $78 monthly. Those with mortgages average $1,015 when escrow taxes are included.

Butler residents: Review your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, incorrect assessments can add unnecessary costs over time. Butler County homeowners can appeal their property valuation with the county assessor if recent comparable sales suggest overassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butler County

via CostByCounty

Butler's affordability challenge despite low rent

Butler County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in this group, even though rent at $768 matches the Missouri state average. The culprit is the lowest median household income ($49,213), straining renters despite reasonable housing costs.

Lowest income, highest rent burden

Butler County combines Missouri's lowest median household income ($49,213) with the highest rent-to-income ratio (18.7%) among these eight counties. This income-cost mismatch makes housing deeply unaffordable despite modest rental prices.

Income, not rent, drives Butler's struggle

Butler County's $768 rent matches the state average, but its $49,213 median income trails every comparable county—Caldwell ($62,520), Callaway ($72,645), and others. This income deficit creates an 18.7% rent burden that exceeds all neighbors.

Low wages, standard rents

Butler County households earn just $49,213 annually while paying $768 monthly rent (18.7% of income) or $685 for ownership on median homes valued at $138,800. The affordability crisis stems from wage stagnation rather than inflated housing costs.

Butler County requires higher earnings

At 18.7% rent-to-income, Butler County is the least affordable in this sample despite moderate rent prices—the real issue is income. Consider relocating here only if your job prospects offer substantially higher wages than the $49,213 county median.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butler County

via IncomeByCounty

Butler faces significant income gap

Butler County's median household income of $49,213 lags the national median of $74,755 by roughly $25,500—a 34% shortfall. This substantial gap reflects one of Missouri's most economically challenged counties, with earnings well below the U.S. average.

Missouri's lowest-income counties

At $49,213, Butler County ranks among Missouri's lowest-income counties, trailing the state average of $59,503 by more than $10,200. The county's per capita income of $27,108 also significantly underperforms the state average of $31,011, indicating broad economic strain.

Struggles compared to regional peers

Butler's $49,213 median income ranks substantially below neighboring Bollinger County ($57,286), Caldwell County ($62,520), and Callaway County ($72,645). The county faces persistent economic challenges that limit household earnings and wealth accumulation.

Housing costs strain limited budgets

Butler's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% approaches the affordability ceiling, meaning housing costs consume a growing share of modest wages. While the median home value of $138,800 is low, the mismatch between income and housing expenses remains tight.

Start small with consistent saving

Butler residents can build financial security by automating even small monthly transfers to savings accounts—$50 or $100 adds up over time. Community credit unions and low-fee financial institutions offer affordable tools to start emergency funds and plan for future stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Butler County

via HealthByCounty

Butler faces significant national health gaps

At 70.2 years, Butler's life expectancy ranks among Missouri's lowest—nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 79 years. With 22.6% reporting poor or fair health, Butler faces one of the state's highest rates of self-reported health challenges.

Butler struggles with Missouri's worst outcomes

Butler's 70.2-year life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year average by over 4 years, ranking it among the state's most vulnerable counties. The 22.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, and 13.8% uninsured puts additional strain on healthcare access.

Higher provider density masks underlying health crisis

Butler's 95 primary care providers per 100K and 348 mental health providers per 100K appear competitive, yet life expectancy lags peers like Camden County (76.8 years) by 6.6 years. This disconnect suggests structural barriers beyond provider supply shape Butler's health crisis.

Coverage gaps compound daily health struggles

Butler's 13.8% uninsured rate—among Missouri's highest—leaves nearly 1 in 7 residents without basic protection despite available providers. The county's high poor/fair health rate suggests that uninsured gaps and possible medical bankruptcies compound existing health disadvantages.

Healthcare.gov can reduce coverage barriers

If you're uninsured in Butler, marketplace plans often qualify for substantial subsidies that make coverage affordable—many plans cost under $50/month after tax credits. Enroll during annual open enrollment or after a qualifying life event to protect yourself and family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butler County

via RiskByCounty

Butler ranks among high-risk counties

Butler County's composite risk score of 83.11 substantially exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Moderate rating. This position reflects significant exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Among Missouri's riskiest counties

Butler's score of 83.11 towers above the state average of 50.56, making it one of the highest-risk counties in Missouri. Residents in this county face above-average disaster exposure across the board.

Butler faces steeper odds than neighbors

Butler's score of 83.11 surpasses Buchanan County (74.36) to the north and Callaway County (63.93) to the west. Cape Girardeau County (85.69) edges slightly higher, but Butler remains among the riskiest in its region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top concerns

Butler residents confront an exceptionally high earthquake risk of 95.10, paired with a tornado risk of 90.14. These two hazards dominate the county's risk profile; flood risk (79.07) adds a third significant layer.

Earthquake policy is critical protection

An earthquake risk score of 95.10 makes dedicated earthquake insurance non-negotiable for Butler homeowners, even though standard policies exclude it. Combine this with flood coverage and a tornado safety plan for comprehensive protection.

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.