CountyScore

Cape Girardeau County

Missouri · MO

#91 in Missouri
67.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Cape Girardeau ranks above national livability baselines

Cape Girardeau County's composite score of 73.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by roughly 47%, indicating solid nationwide livability standing. It trails Missouri's state average of 74.8 by just 1.2 points, marking it as near-average statewide.

Cape Girardeau near Missouri's typical performance

At 73.6, Cape Girardeau County scores just below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the solid middle tier of Missouri counties. This close alignment reflects balanced, representative performance regionally.

Competitive incomes with manageable housing costs

Cape Girardeau's Income Score of 28.4 and median household income of $68,912 demonstrate strong earning potential among this cohort. A Tax Score of 83.3 and median home value of $208,300 provide reasonable balance, with moderate rent at $881 per month.

Affordability slightly below peer county standards

A Cost Score of 77.6 places housing affordability in the middle-to-lower range of this group, suggesting higher relative costs compared to the most affordable options. Missing data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors prevents comprehensive assessment.

Suits professionals seeking balanced opportunity

Cape Girardeau County appeals to working families and professionals seeking solid incomes with reasonable tax burdens and moderate housing costs. It's an accessible choice for those wanting community stability without extreme affordability or premium pricing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.3Cost77.6SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.4Risk14.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.3
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 Cape Girardeau County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tuscaloosa County
Alabama
67.3
Median income: $63,947
Miller County
Arkansas
67.3
Median income: $49,983
Inyo County
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67.3
Median income: $72,432
Cook County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $50,133
Toombs County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $54,130

Deep Dives

Cape Girardeau County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cape Girardeau County

via TaxByCounty

Cape Girardeau taxes slightly below national

At 0.674%, Cape Girardeau County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the middle-lower range of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $1,404 annually on a median home of $208,300—48% below the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly below Missouri's average

Cape Girardeau's 0.674% rate runs 8% below Missouri's 0.733% state average, ranking it among the lower-taxed counties statewide. The median annual tax of $1,404 is 17% above Missouri's median of $1,199, reflecting the county's higher median home values.

Southeast Missouri's tax comparison

Cape Girardeau (0.674%) sits between Butler County (0.673%) and Bollinger County (0.614%), making it one of the region's more moderately taxed counties. Its larger population and higher home values distinguish it from surrounding rural areas.

Cape Girardeau homeowners' annual taxes

On a median home valued at $208,300, Cape Girardeau residents pay $1,404 per year in property taxes—roughly $117 monthly. Those with mortgages average $1,467 annually when escrow is included.

Cape Girardeau residents: Appeal assessments

Even in reasonably tax-friendly counties like Cape Girardeau, incorrect property valuations can add hundreds to annual bills. Filing an appeal with the county assessor based on recent comparable sales is a simple way to reclaim potential tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cape Girardeau County

via CostByCounty

Cape Girardeau near national affordability norm

Cape Girardeau County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the state average of 15.6% and approaches the national norm. With median household income of $68,912 and rent at $881, the county offers solid affordability for a mid-sized regional hub.

Average affordability, above-average income

Cape Girardeau County ranks fifth in this group with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio, benefiting from above-average household income of $68,912. This income advantage keeps housing burdens manageable despite rents above the state average.

Regional balance with good earnings

Cape Girardeau County's $881 rent and 15.3% ratio sit in the middle band of the region—above affordable Caldwell (12.1%) and Callaway (14.0%), below tight Boone (18.2%). Its $68,912 income ranks third, supporting reasonable housing costs.

Strong earnings, balanced housing share

Cape Girardeau County households earn $68,912 annually and allocate 15.3% to rent ($881) or $980 for ownership on median homes valued at $208,300. Income levels support both rental and ownership pathways comfortably.

Cape Girardeau: solid middle ground

Relocating to Cape Girardeau County offers above-average income ($68,912), manageable rent at 15.3% of earnings, and home values ($208,300) that balance affordability with appreciation potential. It's an ideal choice for those seeking regional balance.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cape Girardeau County

via IncomeByCounty

Cape Girardeau approaches national income

Cape Girardeau County's median household income of $68,912 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $5,800, representing an 8% gap. The county ranks in the upper-middle range nationally, performing better than most U.S. communities.

Missouri's higher-income counties

Cape Girardeau's median household income of $68,912 exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by more than $9,400, positioning the county among the state's stronger earners. The county's per capita income of $35,924 also outperforms the state average of $31,011.

Strong earner in southeast region

Cape Girardeau's $68,912 income ranks second among comparison counties, surpassed only by Callaway County ($72,645) and significantly outpacing Bollinger County ($57,286) and Butler County ($49,213). The county's position as a regional economic hub supports stronger household earnings.

Balanced housing affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.3%, Cape Girardeau demonstrates solid rental affordability, leaving ample room in budgets for savings and discretionary spending. The median home value of $208,300 aligns reasonably with local incomes, supporting accessible homeownership.

Build wealth through strategic investing

Cape Girardeau's strong income position enables meaningful contributions to diverse investments—stocks, bonds, real estate, and retirement vehicles. Residents should develop a long-term financial plan that balances near-term security with decades of compounding investment growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cape Girardeau County

via HealthByCounty

Cape Girardeau approaches national standards

At 75.8 years, Cape Girardeau's life expectancy sits 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 79 yet ranks among Missouri's healthier counties. With 19.4% reporting poor or fair health, Cape Girardeau slightly exceeds the national average but remains competitive regionally.

Above-average lifespan with strong coverage

Cape Girardeau's 75.8-year life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.5 years, and its 9.8% uninsured rate ranks among Missouri's lowest—2.7 points below the state average. This southeast Missouri county leads on coverage access.

Balanced health profile with good resources

Cape Girardeau's 75.8-year life expectancy falls between Callaway (76.0) and Buchanan (73.4), reflecting solid mid-tier county health. With 90 primary care providers per 100K and 304 mental health providers per 100K, Cape Girardeau offers robust provider access across specialties.

Strong coverage and provider infrastructure

Cape Girardeau's 9.8% uninsured rate ensures most residents access routine care, while 90 primary care and 304 mental health providers per 100K support diverse healthcare needs. This combination creates one of Missouri's more accessible healthcare environments.

Keep coverage seamless and continuous

With Cape Girardeau's strong coverage rate, the focus shifts to maintaining protection through life changes and job transitions. Check Healthcare.gov during annual enrollment or after qualifying events to ensure uninterrupted coverage for you and your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cape Girardeau County

via RiskByCounty

Cape Girardeau faces high disaster risk

Cape Girardeau County's composite risk score of 85.69 substantially exceeds the national average with a Relatively Moderate rating. The county encounters significant natural disaster exposure, particularly from earthquakes and tornadoes.

Among Missouri's riskiest counties

Cape Girardeau's score of 85.69 ranks it well above the state average of 50.56, placing it in the upper tier of Missouri counties for disaster risk. This elevated standing demands homeowner awareness and preparation.

Highest risk with slight variations

Cape Girardeau's score of 85.69 edges just below Camden County (88.39) to the north and substantially exceeds Bollinger County (26.27) to the west. It sits among the riskiest in its region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate threats

Cape Girardeau residents face an extraordinarily high earthquake risk of 96.56, the county's most urgent concern, combined with tornado risk of 77.64. Flood risk (78.05) completes a trio of major hazards.

Earthquake and flood policies critical

An earthquake risk score of 96.56 makes dedicated earthquake insurance absolutely essential for Cape Girardeau homeowners, despite being excluded from standard policies. Pair this with flood coverage given the 78.05 score and review all policies annually.

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.