CountyScore

Caldwell County

Missouri · MO

#11 in Missouri
74
County Score

County Report Card

About Caldwell County, Missouri

Caldwell ranks in the upper tier nationally

Caldwell County's composite score of 76.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among the more livable counties nationwide. It also surpasses Missouri's state average of 74.8, marking strong regional performance.

Caldwell leads Missouri's livability rankings

At 76.3, Caldwell County outperforms the state average of 74.8 by 1.5 points, ranking it among Missouri's better places to live. This places it above the typical Missouri county in overall desirability.

Exceptional affordability paired with reasonable taxes

Caldwell County boasts a Cost Score of 86.4—the highest in this group—reflecting median gross rent of just $628 per month and home values of $156,700. A Tax Score of 80.2 and effective rate of 0.785% further enhance affordability.

Income growth remains modest

The Income Score of 24.2 and median household income of $62,520 indicate moderate earning potential relative to some peer counties. Limited data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors prevent a fully rounded livability assessment.

Ideal for families seeking maximum housing value

Caldwell County suits families and workers looking for the best bang for their buck in housing and tax efficiency without sacrificing reasonable community stability. It's a smart choice for value-conscious movers prioritizing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.2Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk85.6WaterComing Soon
🏛80.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡85.6
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 Caldwell County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bibb County
Alabama
74
Median income: $51,215
Crenshaw County
Alabama
74
Median income: $49,040
Fremont County
Idaho
74
Median income: $72,767
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $48,572
Trimble County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $67,813

Deep Dives

Caldwell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Caldwell County

via TaxByCounty

Caldwell County near national tax rate

At 0.785%, Caldwell County's effective tax rate sits above the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the middle-upper band of U.S. counties. Residents pay $1,230 annually on a median home of $156,700—less than half the national median property tax.

Slightly above Missouri's average

Caldwell's 0.785% rate runs 7% above Missouri's 0.733% state average, making it a moderate-to-higher-tax county. The median annual tax of $1,230 sits just above Missouri's median of $1,199.

North-central Missouri tax landscape

Caldwell (0.785%) taxes nearly identically to Callaway County (0.789%) but below Boone County (0.878%) in the region. This rural north-central cluster offers moderate tax burdens compared to larger urban centers.

Caldwell homeowners' annual tax burden

On a median home valued at $156,700, Caldwell residents pay $1,230 per year in property taxes—approximately $103 monthly. Mortgage holders average $1,514 annually when escrow is factored in.

Caldwell County: Appeal if overassessed

Many Caldwell County homeowners overpay due to outdated or incorrect property valuations. Filing a tax appeal with the county assessor can reduce your assessed value and save money annually if market comparables support your claim.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Caldwell County

via CostByCounty

Caldwell County: Missouri's affordability leader

Caldwell County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this entire group and well below both the national standard and Missouri's 15.6% average. At $628 monthly, the median rent is the cheapest here, making Caldwell an exceptional affordability standout.

Best rent-to-income ratio in sample

Caldwell County ranks first among these eight counties with a 12.1% rent-to-income ratio, beating the state average by 3.5 percentage points. This affordability advantage reflects both low rents and a stable household income of $62,520.

Unbeaten affordability in the region

Caldwell County's $628 rent and 12.1% ratio crush neighbors: Bollinger (14.2%), Callaway (14.0%), and Cape Girardeau (15.3%) all cost more. Caldwell delivers the region's best rent-to-income value by a clear margin.

Rent and ownership both reasonable

Caldwell County households earn $62,520 annually and allocate just 12.1% to rent ($628) or $717 for homeownership on median properties valued at $156,700. Both tenure paths remain affordable, with ownership costs slightly higher but still manageable.

Caldwell: the affordability winner

If housing affordability is your top priority, Caldwell County delivers: 12.1% rent-to-income, the lowest rent at $628, and reasonable home values at $156,700. This is Missouri's best value among comparable counties in this analysis.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Caldwell County

via IncomeByCounty

Caldwell moderately below national median

Caldwell County's median household income of $62,520 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $12,200, representing a 16% gap. The county ranks in the lower-middle range nationally, indicating modest earnings relative to U.S. norms.

Above average within Missouri

Caldwell's median household income of $62,520 exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by roughly $3,000, placing the county in the upper half of Missouri counties. The county performs better than most regional peers on income measures.

Solid earner among nearby counties

Caldwell's $62,520 income ranks above Bollinger County ($57,286) and Buchanan County ($59,423) but below Callaway County ($72,645) and Cape Girardeau County ($68,912). The county's per capita income of $31,963 also slightly exceeds the state average, indicating balanced prosperity.

Excellent rental affordability

Caldwell boasts an exceptional rent-to-income ratio of just 12.1%, well below the 30% affordability threshold, giving households substantial discretionary income. The median home value of $156,700 aligns reasonably with local incomes, supporting homeownership accessibility.

Invest savings for long-term growth

Caldwell's favorable rent burden creates a genuine opportunity to invest beyond emergency funds and retirement contributions. Residents should explore diversified portfolios—low-cost index funds, bonds, and real estate—to build meaningful wealth over 20+ year horizons.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Caldwell County

via HealthByCounty

Caldwell near national average but rural

Caldwell's 74.8-year life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 79 years, yet about 20% report poor or fair health. This small, rural northwest Missouri county faces access constraints despite holding roughly mid-range national health metrics.

Slightly above state average, isolation persists

At 74.8 years, Caldwell's life expectancy edges above Missouri's 74.3-year average, but its 13.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state benchmark. The county's 20% poor/fair health rate signals that small size and geographic isolation create distinct healthcare challenges.

Rural isolation limits provider access severely

Caldwell's 11 primary care providers per 100K is the region's lowest—roughly 7 times fewer than Boone County's 118. With only 34 mental health providers per 100K, Caldwell residents often travel long distances for specialist care, a reality in Missouri's most rural counties.

Rural isolation creates real healthcare barriers

Caldwell's 11 primary care providers per 100K mean residents may face 30+ minute drives for routine checkups, while only 34 mental health providers per 100K forces many to seek care across county lines. The 13.1% uninsured rate compounds these access gaps, leaving vulnerable populations without safety nets.

Rural residents deserve affordable coverage

Caldwell's geographic isolation makes coverage even more critical—uninsured emergencies can bankrupt families without adequate support. Check Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans and subsidies that make rural healthcare affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Caldwell County

via RiskByCounty

Caldwell ranks among safest counties

Caldwell County's composite risk score of 14.41 places it among the nation's lowest-risk counties with a Very Low rating. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure to major natural disasters.

Missouri's lowest-risk county

Caldwell's score of 14.41 is the lowest in Missouri and dramatically below the state average of 50.56. Caldwell residents enjoy one of the safest natural disaster profiles in the entire state.

Safest in its region by far

Caldwell's score of 14.41 dwarfs nearby Callaway County (63.93) and Boone County (85.75). It stands as the clear safety leader among all its neighboring counties.

Wildfire emerges as top concern

Wildfire risk scores 45.39 in Caldwell, the county's highest hazard, though still modest in absolute terms. Tornadoes rank second at 37.66, while flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Caldwell's Very Low composite risk rating means a standard homeowners policy typically provides adequate coverage for most residents. Focus on maintaining basic preparedness and ensure your roof and gutters are fire-resistant given the wildfire score of 45.39.

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.