Carroll County's composite score of 71.7 ranks 43 percentiles above the national median of 50.0, positioning it among America's most livable counties by value metrics. This performance is driven almost entirely by exceptionally low housing costs and tax rates that rival the nation's most affordable regions.
2 / 5
Tops Ohio's composite score average
Carroll County ranks above Ohio's state average of 68.8, placing it among the state's stronger-performing counties for overall livability. Its cost advantage is particularly impressive—the third-lowest median home value among these eight Ohio counties at just $174,500.
3 / 5
Unmatched housing and tax value
Carroll County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.967% and offers exceptional housing affordability with an effective cost score of 80.6. Median rent of $780/month and median home values of $174,500 make this county a refuge for people seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden.
4 / 5
Income and opportunity remain constrained
Carroll County's income score of 25.6 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median household income of just $64,675—roughly 20% below national norms. Limited data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality makes it difficult to assess non-financial livability factors that matter for long-term community satisfaction.
5 / 5
For bargain hunters willing to trade earning potential
Carroll County is ideal for retirees, remote workers with stable incomes, or anyone prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and taxes over wage growth. If you can earn elsewhere and live here, or live on a fixed income, Carroll's affordability is nearly unmatched in the region.
Carroll County's composite score of 71.7 ranks 43 percentiles above the national median of 50.0, positioning it among America's most livable counties by value metrics. This performance is driven almost entirely by exceptionally low housing costs and tax rates that rival the nation's most affordable regions.
Tops Ohio's composite score average
Carroll County ranks above Ohio's state average of 68.8, placing it among the state's stronger-performing counties for overall livability. Its cost advantage is particularly impressive—the third-lowest median home value among these eight Ohio counties at just $174,500.
Unmatched housing and tax value
Carroll County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.967% and offers exceptional housing affordability with an effective cost score of 80.6. Median rent of $780/month and median home values of $174,500 make this county a refuge for people seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden.
Income and opportunity remain constrained
Carroll County's income score of 25.6 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median household income of just $64,675—roughly 20% below national norms. Limited data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality makes it difficult to assess non-financial livability factors that matter for long-term community satisfaction.
For bargain hunters willing to trade earning potential
Carroll County is ideal for retirees, remote workers with stable incomes, or anyone prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs and taxes over wage growth. If you can earn elsewhere and live here, or live on a fixed income, Carroll's affordability is nearly unmatched in the region.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Carroll County's effective tax rate of 0.967% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.84%, placing the county in roughly the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,688 trails the national median of $2,690 by more than $1,000 annually.
Below-average taxes across Ohio
Carroll County ranks among Ohio's lower-tax counties with an effective rate of 0.967%, which sits slightly below the state average of 1.148%. The median tax bill of $1,688 is nearly $460 below Ohio's median, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state.
Eastern Ohio's most affordable option
Carroll County's 0.967% rate edges out Coshocton County at 0.968% and Columbiana County at 1.070%, making it one of eastern Ohio's cheapest taxing jurisdictions. Champaign County to the west offers similarly low rates at 1.040%.
What $174.5K home costs annually
A homeowner with a median-valued property of $174,500 in Carroll County pays approximately $1,688 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill edges up slightly to $1,748.
Carroll homeowners should verify assessments
Even in lower-tax counties, some homeowners are overassessed relative to recent sales prices in their neighborhoods. An appeal with supporting evidence from comparable sales could yield refunds or future tax relief.
Carroll County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio falls comfortably below the national 15% affordability threshold, making it genuinely accessible for renters nationwide. Despite a median household income of $64,675—about $10,000 below the U.S. average—Carroll's low rent costs create one of the region's strongest affordability stories.
Among Ohio's most affordable counties
Carroll's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Ohio's 15.6% state average, placing it in the top tier of Ohio counties for affordability. With median rent at just $780—down 11% from the state average—Carroll offers genuine housing relief compared to most Ohio communities.
Cheapest rents in this regional cluster
Carroll County's median rent of $780 is the lowest among comparable southwestern Ohio counties, underselling even Columbiana County ($736 vs $780 gap). Combined with its 14.5% rent-to-income ratio, Carroll delivers exceptional value for families prioritizing affordability over urban amenities.
Housing consumes just 14.5% of income
Carroll residents allocate approximately $780 monthly for rent on a $64,675 median household income, leaving more room for other necessities and savings. Homeowners pay roughly $912 monthly toward mortgages, while the median home value of $174,500 remains accessible for buyers with modest down payments.
Carroll shines for budget-conscious movers
If affordability is your primary driver, Carroll County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms neighbors like Clark County (16.6%) and rivals even rural counties like Columbiana. Compare your own income against Carroll's $64,675 median to gauge whether this economical county matches your financial reality.
Carroll County's median household income of $64,675 falls 13.4% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it below the middle tier of U.S. counties. This gap reflects slower wage growth in the county's industrial base over the past decade.
Below-average for Ohio
At $64,675, Carroll County ranks in the lower half of Ohio's counties, sitting 5.1% below the state average of $68,101. The gap suggests Carroll households face steeper income challenges than most of their Ohio counterparts.
Struggling vs. regional peers
Carroll's $64,675 median lags neighboring Champaign County ($74,239) and the broader southwest Ohio corridor, where incomes average $75,000+. Carroll faces stronger headwinds than adjacent counties in both wages and employment opportunities.
Housing remains affordable
Despite lower incomes, Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% is below national norms, and median home values of $174,500 are accessible. The county's low cost of living partly offsets wage challenges.
Prioritize income growth first
Carroll households should focus on skills training and job advancement to close the regional income gap. Even modest wage increases of 5-10% would unlock meaningful savings capacity for retirement and wealth-building.
Carroll County life expectancy near national average
Carroll County residents have a life expectancy of 75.0 years, about 1.5 years above the U.S. average of 73.5 years. However, 21.6% report poor or fair health status, slightly above the national average of 21%, signaling some health challenges despite reasonable longevity.
Slightly above Ohio average lifespan
At 75.0 years, Carroll County's life expectancy tracks just above Ohio's state average of 74.8 years. The county's 21.6% poor/fair health rate is slightly higher than the state average, indicating room for health improvement.
Mid-range outcomes in regional comparison
Carroll County's 75.0-year life expectancy falls between stronger performers like Champaign County (75.7) and lower-performing Clark County (72.3). Its 8.6% uninsured rate is above the state average of 7.5%, suggesting some residents face coverage gaps.
Limited primary care, sparse mental health access
Carroll County has just 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—roughly half the national average—and only 56 mental health providers per 100,000. With 8.6% uninsured, nearly 1 in 11 residents lack health coverage, creating barriers to both routine and specialized care.
Explore coverage options to bridge gaps
Carroll County's limited provider network makes insurance coverage even more critical—it ensures access to the primary care and mental health services available. Check healthcare.gov or local community health centers to find plans that work for your family and budget.
With a composite risk score of just 19.94, Carroll County ranks among the nation's safest from natural disasters—well below the national average. This "Very Low" rating reflects substantially reduced exposure across all major hazard categories.
Well below Ohio's average risk
Carroll County's score of 19.94 sits far beneath Ohio's state average of 55.03, making it one of the lowest-risk counties in the state. Residents here enjoy significantly more favorable natural disaster exposure than most of their Ohio neighbors.
Among the safest in its region
Carroll County's 19.94 score is substantially lower than Clinton County (34.00) and Coshocton County (49.08). This favorable positioning reflects particularly low hazard exposure across multiple disaster types.
Tornado and hurricane risks are modest
Even Carroll County's highest hazard—tornado risk at 27.99—remains well below state and national medians. All other risks, including flood (42.84), earthquake (27.04), and wildfire (24.75), stay consistently low.
Standard homeowner's insurance typically sufficient
Carroll County's low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance without specialized add-ons generally provides adequate protection. Still, keeping an emergency kit and tornado safety plan ensures readiness for rare but possible severe weather.