CountyScore

Cowley County

Kansas · KS

#95 in Kansas
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Cowley County, Kansas

Cowley exceeds national livability baseline

Cowley County's composite score of 63.7 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally. The county delivers livability standards that outperform nearly two-thirds of American counties.

Nearly tied with Kansas state average

Cowley's score of 63.7 falls just 2.3 points below Kansas's state average of 66.0. The county ranks solidly among mid-to-upper tier performers across the state's county landscape.

Strong tax advantages and affordability

Cowley County offers a tax score of 54.9 with an effective rate of 1.683%, paired with a cost score of 80.8 reflecting median home values of $111,600. The combination provides reasonable tax burden and accessible housing relative to median household income of $58,263.

Income potential lags behind opportunities

The income score of 21.4 suggests earning potential is modest compared to some peer counties, with median household income under $60,000. Data gaps remain for safety, health, schools, and water quality, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment.

Ideal for families seeking rural stability

Cowley County appeals to families and workers valuing balanced taxes, modest cost of living, and stable rural communities. The county delivers a practical foundation for middle-income households prioritizing affordability over rapid income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.9Cost80.8SafetyComing SoonHealth67.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk30.9WaterComing Soon
🏛54.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.9
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 Cowley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Maricopa County
Arizona
61.8
Median income: $85,518
Mendocino County
California
61.8
Median income: $64,688
Flagler County
Florida
61.8
Median income: $72,923
Jefferson County
Illinois
61.8
Median income: $61,102
Hampshire County
Massachusetts
61.8
Median income: $86,391

Deep Dives

Cowley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cowley County

via TaxByCounty

Cowley's tax rate exceeds national average

Cowley County's effective tax rate of 1.683% surpasses the national median of 1.09%, placing it solidly above the 50th percentile. The median property tax of $1,878 falls short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Cowley's median home value of $111,600—less than 40% of the national average.

Cowley ranks second-highest in Kansas

At 1.683%, Cowley County's effective tax rate is the second-highest among the eight counties profiled and well above Kansas's state average of 1.549%. Only Comanche County (2.285%) taxes at a higher rate across this regional sample.

Cowley substantially higher than most peers

Cowley's 1.683% rate significantly outpaces Crawford County (1.123%), Doniphan County (1.160%), and Douglas County (1.246%) in the broader region. Among neighboring counties, Cowley stands second only to Comanche in tax burden.

Median home pays $1,878 yearly

On a median home value of $111,600, Cowley County homeowners pay roughly $1,878 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties pay $2,095, while those without mortgages pay $1,520.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

Many property owners don't realize they can appeal their assessed values if they believe them inaccurate. Filing a reassessment challenge with Cowley County's assessor could lower your tax bill if your home is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cowley County

via CostByCounty

Cowley renters squeeze budgets tighter

Cowley County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% exceeds the national ideal, reflecting a median household income of $58,263—far below the national $74,755. Renters here pay $779 monthly, putting housing affordability under strain despite modest absolute costs.

Middle of the Kansas pack

Cowley's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio slightly outpaces Kansas's 14.7% state average, and its $779 median rent nearly matches the state average of $787. This positioning suggests Cowley mirrors statewide affordability challenges: modest rents paired with modest incomes.

Pricier rents, higher home values

Cowley's $779 monthly rent exceeds Comanche ($672) and Decatur ($695) but trails Crawford's pricier $837 median. Its $111,600 median home value positions Cowley between the rural counties (Comanche, Decatur) and more expensive markets like Crawford ($122,400).

Homeownership carries sharper monthly burden

Cowley renters allocate 16.0% of their $58,263 income to $779 monthly rent, while homeowners pay $899—consuming 18.5% of household income. This gap suggests that Cowley's homeownership market demands more aggressive budget commitment than renting.

Mid-range option for growing families

Cowley offers moderate home values ($111,600) and rents that balance affordability against lifestyle expectations. Compare against Comanche for lower costs or Crawford for more housing amenities at higher price points.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cowley County

via IncomeByCounty

Cowley approaches national income

Cowley County's median household income of $58,263 sits 22% below the U.S. median of $74,755, narrowing the gap compared to many rural Kansas peers. The county is climbing toward the national average, though still behind by nearly $16,500 annually.

Cowley slightly outpaces state

At $58,263, Cowley County's median income exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by about $6,000, positioning it solidly in the middle tier statewide. However, per capita income of $31,072 trails the state average of $34,748.

Cowley leads southwest Kansas

Cowley County's $58,263 median household income ranks highest among nearby counties, outpacing Crawford County ($50,311) by $8,000 and Comanche County ($49,417) by nearly $9,000. This income advantage gives Cowley a competitive edge in the region.

Rent stays affordable for most

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.0%, Cowley County residents dedicate roughly one-sixth of household income to rent, well below the affordability threshold of 30%. Median home values of $111,600 remain accessible to families earning the county median.

Cowley's income supports investing

Cowley County's above-average income relative to neighboring counties creates an opportunity to invest in stock market index funds, retirement accounts, or real estate beyond primary residences. Starting with automatic transfers to savings accounts can help families maximize wealth-building during peak earning years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cowley County

via HealthByCounty

Cowley Falls Behind National Health Benchmarks

Cowley County residents have a life expectancy of 73.7 years, about five years below the U.S. average of 78.8, indicating significant health challenges within the community. One in five residents (18.2%) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 16%, suggesting widespread chronic disease or health concerns.

Cowley Ranks Among Kansas's Health Challenges

At 73.7 years, Cowley's life expectancy trails Kansas's state average of 75.4 years by 1.7 years, placing it in the lower tier of state counties. The 10.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 11.5%, but the higher poor/fair health rate suggests coverage alone isn't addressing underlying health disparities.

Mental Health Resources Outpace Primary Care

Cowley offers 173 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest in the state—yet only 41 primary care providers per 100K, creating an imbalance in care access. This gap means residents have strong behavioral health support but may struggle to access routine medical services.

Uninsured Rate Hides Deeper Healthcare Gaps

While 10.2% of Cowley residents lack insurance—slightly better than state average—the real challenge is the shortage of primary care doctors available to all residents. Limited primary care capacity means even insured residents may face long waits or need to travel for routine checkups and preventive services.

Coverage Is Step One—Access Care Now

If you're uninsured or underinsured, Cowley County Community Health Centers and Kansas Medicaid can connect you with affordable plans and local care. Getting coverage matters, especially as a foundation for accessing the mental health resources your community has available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cowley County

via RiskByCounty

Cowley County faces elevated disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 69.12, Cowley County ranks as Relatively Low but sits well above Kansas's average of 29.89. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazards, particularly tornados and flooding.

Mid-range risk among Kansas counties

Cowley County's score of 69.12 places it in the upper-middle tier for Kansas, meaning it experiences higher disaster risk than most state counties. The county faces notably greater exposure than neighboring counties in western portions of the state.

Considerably riskier than surrounding areas

Cowley County's 69.12 score far exceeds Edwards County (17.56) to the west and Doniphan County (13.99) to the north. South-central Kansas presents substantially higher natural disaster risk than the plains to its flanks.

Tornados and flooding dominate the hazard mix

Tornado risk reaches 91.03—among the state's highest—while flood risk scores 56.30, reflecting the county's position in Kansas's Tornado Alley. These two hazards account for the vast majority of Cowley County's composite risk.

Comprehensive coverage essential here

Cowley County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wind and hail damage from severe storms and tornados. Flood insurance should be seriously considered given the 56.30 flood risk score, especially for properties in or near flood-prone areas.

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.