Dallas County's composite score of 78.7 is the highest among all eight counties and places it in the 79th percentile nationally. The county ranks among America's most livable based on measured factors.
2 / 5
Missouri's Strongest Performer
Dallas County scores 78.7, notably exceeding Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it the top-ranked county in this group. It represents some of the best livability Missouri has to offer.
3 / 5
Lowest Taxes and Cheapest Housing
Dallas County leads with the highest tax score (88.8) featuring a rock-bottom 0.480% effective tax rate and the cost score of 86.2 with median rent at just $685/month. Median home values of $151,200 round out an exceptionally affordable lifestyle.
4 / 5
Income Lags Far Behind Affordability
The income score of 18.1 is among the lowest, with median household income at $53,177, creating a stark gap between low costs and limited earnings potential. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available.
5 / 5
Premier Choice for Minimalist Living
Dallas County is the ultimate destination for those living on minimal income—retirees, remote workers, or anyone seeking extreme affordability with lowest-in-region taxes. If maximum financial efficiency on a tight budget is your goal, no Missouri county comes closer.
Dallas County's composite score of 78.7 is the highest among all eight counties and places it in the 79th percentile nationally. The county ranks among America's most livable based on measured factors.
Missouri's Strongest Performer
Dallas County scores 78.7, notably exceeding Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it the top-ranked county in this group. It represents some of the best livability Missouri has to offer.
Lowest Taxes and Cheapest Housing
Dallas County leads with the highest tax score (88.8) featuring a rock-bottom 0.480% effective tax rate and the cost score of 86.2 with median rent at just $685/month. Median home values of $151,200 round out an exceptionally affordable lifestyle.
Income Lags Far Behind Affordability
The income score of 18.1 is among the lowest, with median household income at $53,177, creating a stark gap between low costs and limited earnings potential. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available.
Premier Choice for Minimalist Living
Dallas County is the ultimate destination for those living on minimal income—retirees, remote workers, or anyone seeking extreme affordability with lowest-in-region taxes. If maximum financial efficiency on a tight budget is your goal, no Missouri county comes closer.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.480%, Dallas County boasts an exceptionally low effective tax rate—less than half the national median—making it one of America's most affordable property tax jurisdictions. Homeowners here enjoy substantial savings compared to typical U.S. counties.
Missouri's Most Tax-Friendly County
Dallas County's 0.480% effective rate is dramatically lower than Missouri's state average of 0.733%, ranking it among the state's most affordable counties for property taxes. The median tax of $726 is just 39% above the state median, despite serving a smaller median home value.
Clear Tax Leader in Its Region
Dallas County (0.480%) substantially undercuts all neighboring counties, including Dade County (0.650%), Crawford County (0.609%), and Daviess County (0.708%). For families prioritizing low property taxes, Dallas County stands as the region's clear winner.
Minimal Annual Property Tax Bill
On Dallas County's median home value of $151,200, homeowners pay only about $726 per year in property taxes—roughly $61 monthly. This exceptionally low bill makes Dallas one of Missouri's most affordable counties for property owners.
Confirm Your Assessment Is Fair
Even in the lowest-tax county, inaccurate assessments can still result in overpayment if your home is valued above market reality. Dallas County homeowners should periodically check their assessments to ensure they reflect current property values.
Dallas County's median household income of $53,177 falls well below the national average of $74,755, yet renters spend just 15.5% on housing—nearly matching national norms. The median rent of $685 is among the lowest studied, but the county's income challenges make every housing dollar count more.
Below-average income and rent
Dallas County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio performs near the Missouri average of 15.6%, while its median rent of $685 ranks among the state's most affordable. However, the median household income of $53,177 is significantly below Missouri norms, indicating a rural economy with limited higher-wage opportunities.
Low rents, but tight budgets
Dallas County's median rent of $685 ranks second-lowest among the eight counties studied, beaten only by Dade County's $650. Yet with a median income of $53,177—higher only than Dade's—the 15.5% ratio reflects a county where affordable housing masks underlying income constraints.
15.5% of income toward housing
Dallas County households earn a median of $53,177 annually and spend approximately $685 monthly on rent or $656 for ownership, consuming 15.5% of gross income. The low median home value of $151,200 means ownership costs remain modest but employment-dependent.
Attractive for retirees and remote workers
Dallas County's low rents and overall cost of living make it appealing for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers with stable outside income. However, local employment opportunities are limited; relocate here only if your income source is secure and location-independent.
Dallas County's median household income of $53,177 trails the national median of $74,755 by 28.9%, reflecting economic headwinds affecting rural Missouri. This substantial gap indicates limited wage growth and job diversity compared to national trends.
Below average across Missouri
Dallas County's median income of $53,177 falls 10.6% short of Missouri's state average of $59,503, ranking it among the state's lowest-earning counties. This $6,326 shortfall signals structural economic challenges requiring intervention.
Lowest in this county survey
Dallas County ($53,177) ranks among the lowest-earning counties surveyed, exceeding only Dade County ($49,899) but trailing Crawford County ($56,345). This positioning reflects Dallas's acute economic vulnerability relative to regional peers.
Housing affordability is strained
Dallas County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits near the affordability threshold, leaving households little financial flexibility for non-housing expenses. The median home value of $151,200 remains challenging to afford for families earning the county median.
Build resilience through multiple income streams
Dallas County residents should prioritize securing stable employment and consider supplemental income to accelerate wealth building. Start with a modest emergency fund of $250–500 and explore free financial literacy programs, then gradually invest in skills that unlock higher-wage opportunities.
At 72.3 years, Dallas County's life expectancy falls 1.4 years below the U.S. average of 73.7 years, indicating significant health disadvantages. Over 1 in 5 residents (21.3%) report poor or fair health, well above the national rate of 19.3%.
Second-lowest health outcomes in state
Dallas County ranks near the bottom among Missouri counties with a life expectancy of 72.3 years—2.0 years below the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate of 14.8% is the second-highest in this group, substantially exceeding Missouri's 12.5% average.
Weak health, minimal provider network
Dallas County's 72.3-year life expectancy is lower than all neighboring counties in this analysis except Crawford County at 70.8 years. The critical shortage of just 6 primary care providers per 100K—second-worst in the group after Crawford—compounds access problems for the 14.8% of uninsured residents.
Provider shortage meets rising uninsurance
Dallas County is severely underserved with only 6 primary care providers per 100K, forcing residents to seek care far from home. The 14.8% uninsured rate—nearly 1 in 7 residents—makes traveling for care even more financially devastating when illness strikes.
Insurance matters in underserved communities
Dallas County's provider shortage means insurance coverage is critical when you need to travel for care and manage resulting medical bills. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore plans that will protect you financially when you access healthcare outside your community.
Dallas County scores 41.70 on the composite risk scale, rated Very Low but falling below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This mid-range positioning reflects moderate exposure to some hazards balanced by lower vulnerability elsewhere.
Below-Average Risk in Missouri
Dallas County ranks in the lower-to-middle tier of Missouri's 114 counties, with a composite score 9 points below the state average. The county avoids the highest-risk categories despite notable wildfire exposure.
Moderate Compared to Neighbors
Dallas County's 41.70 score falls between Daviess County's lower 30.06 and Cole County's elevated 73.44. This positioning reflects Dallas's notable wildfire risk of 73.54, offsetting somewhat lower tornado and earthquake exposure.
Wildfire Emerges as Top Threat
Wildfire risk of 73.54 significantly outpaces Dallas County's other hazards, ranking well above tornado (60.37) and earthquake (59.10) risks. Flood risk of 37.95 rounds out the county's exposure profile as its weakest concern.
Prioritize Wildfire Preparedness
Dallas County homeowners should focus wildfire protection efforts on defensible space around their properties—clearing dead vegetation within 30 feet of structures. Standard homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage; ensure your policy limits reflect home replacement value in your area.