countyscore
42.9
County Score
Soil Quality 73Water Quality 69Property Tax 66.9

County Report Card

About Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Below the National Median

Cape Girardeau County earns a 42.6 composite score, trailing the national median of 50.0. While it serves as a regional economic hub, its score is pulled down by safety and risk factors.

Under the State Average

The county's 42.6 score is several points below the Missouri average of 50.3. Despite high income levels, the county faces higher-than-average costs and safety challenges for the region.

Robust Incomes and Utilities

The county features an Income Score of 64.0 with a median household income of $68,912. It also maintains good infrastructure with a Water Score of 69.0 and a solid Tax Score of 66.1.

Risk and Safety Hurdles

A low Risk Score of 14.3 and a Safety Score of 21.7 are the primary detractors from its overall rank. Additionally, a Cost Score of 38.8 reflects housing prices that are relatively high for the area's profile.

Best for Career Professionals

This county is ideal for those seeking work in a regional city with solid incomes and manageable taxes. It suits residents who prioritize economic activity and urban amenities over rural safety and lower housing costs.

2040608010066.941.221.749.837.958.514.36953.8Tax66.9Cost41.2Safety21.7Health49.8Schools37.9Income58.5Risk14.3Water69Weather53.842.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Cape Girardeau County DNA

Foverall

How Cape Girardeau County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Cape Girardeau County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (66.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (21.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.9+14.900000000000006
Cost
41.2
Safety
21.7-33.3
Health
49.8
Schools
37.9-16.1
Income
58.5
Risk
14.3-32.7
Water
69+11
Weather
53.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Cape Girardeau County

Whether buying or refinancing in Cape Girardeau County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$220,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$881/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$220,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $68,464/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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43

Nearby counties

Union County
Illinois
57.7
Alexander County
Illinois
61
Perry County
Missouri
47
Scott County
Missouri
53.6
Jackson County
Illinois
35.6
Bollinger County
Missouri
54.3
Pulaski County
Illinois
60.2
Ballard County
Kentucky
57.6

Deep Dives

Cape Girardeau County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Cape Girardeau County

via CrimeByCounty

Cape Girardeau Maintains a Solid Safety Score

Cape Girardeau County earns a safety score of 96.8, closely following national trends. The total crime rate of 2019.5 per 100,000 is lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Consistent with Missouri State Averages

The county's safety score of 96.8 is nearly identical to the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2019.5 is just slightly above the state average of 1926.2.

Higher Activity than Bollinger County

Cape Girardeau County sees more crime than neighboring Bollinger County, which has a lower rate of 1369.9. This difference is largely driven by the higher population density and commerce in the city of Cape Girardeau.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

The violent crime rate is 386.8, sitting slightly above the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more common at 1632.7, though it remains below the national average of 2,015.7.

Prioritizing Local Property Safety

With property crime as the most common incident type, residents should ensure vehicles are locked and valuables are out of sight. Home security cameras provide an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cape Girardeau County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Wet River Climate

At 56.9°F, Cape Girardeau is warmer than the U.S. median. This southeastern county experiences a wetter and more humid climate than the national average.

A Missouri Precipitation Leader

The county surpasses the Missouri rainfall average by nearly 7 inches, totaling 50.5 inches annually. It is also 2 degrees warmer than the state average of 54.9°F.

Intense Regional Summer Heat

It shares a hot profile with Butler County but sees even more extreme heat with 57 days over 90°F. This makes it one of the warmest counties in the region.

Two Months of Extreme Heat

Summers are defined by 57 extreme heat days and a 79.6°F July average. Winters remain relatively mild with only 7.5 inches of annual snow.

Prepare for Humidity and Rain

Robust air conditioning is required to handle the nearly two months of 90-degree weather. Yard maintenance must account for the heavy 50.5-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cape Girardeau County

via SoilByCounty

Cape Girardeau's Classic Alfisols

This county is characterized by Alfisols with a silt loam texture. The average pH of 6.08 almost exactly matches the Missouri state average, providing a standard baseline for local agriculture.

Silt Loam for Prime Farming

With a high silt content of 62.2% and 18.9% clay, these soils are famously fertile and easy to till. The 17.0% sand content provides enough aeration to prevent the earth from becoming too dense.

Top-Tier Water Retention

The available water capacity of 0.204 is among the best in the state, far exceeding the Missouri average. This high capacity, paired with a soil score of 73.0, indicates exceptional growing potential.

Efficient Drainage for Active Use

Classified as well drained and falling into hydrologic group C, the soil manages water effectively. This makes the land suitable for both large-scale farming and residential landscaping projects.

Sun-Loving Plants in Zone 7a

Being in the warmer zone 7a allows for a long, productive growing season for peppers and tomatoes. Take advantage of the superior water capacity to grow a lush, high-yielding vegetable garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cape Girardeau County

via LawnByCounty

Cape Girardeau's Warm-Season Challenge

Cape Girardeau County has a lawn difficulty score of 52.3, indicating a more challenging environment than the state average of 63.7. The 7a hardiness zone introduces more heat and a longer growing season than northern Missouri counties.

Confronting Intense Summer Heat

The county faces 57 extreme heat days annually, nearly 20 more than the state average. While 50.5 inches of rain provides moisture, the high temperatures and 4,418 growing degree days can lead to rapid turf dehydration.

Productive Silt Loam Foundation

Silt loam soil offers a great texture for roots, and the 6.08 pH falls just within the ideal range. The soil is well-drained, which is helpful given the county's high annual precipitation, though it requires careful nutrient management.

Navigating Severe Drought Periods

About 16.5% of the county is currently in severe drought, and homeowners have navigated 20 weeks of drought over the past year. Efficient irrigation is vital to combat high evaporation during the county's frequent 90°F days.

Selecting Hardy Grass Varieties

Warm-season grasses like Zoysia or heat-tolerant tall fescues are best for this 7a zone. Plan your planting around the spring frost on April 7 or the first fall frost on October 29 to ensure successful establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cape Girardeau County's county score?
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri has a composite county score of 42.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Cape Girardeau County rank among counties in Missouri?
Cape Girardeau County ranks #91 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Cape Girardeau County is $1,421, with an effective tax rate of 0.64%. This earns Cape Girardeau County a tax score of 66.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cape Girardeau County?
The median household income in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri is $68,464 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cape Girardeau County earns an income score of 58.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cape Girardeau County, Missouri a good place to live?
Cape Girardeau County scores 42.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #91 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Cape Girardeau County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Cape Girardeau County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.