Greene County's composite score of 70.9 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 42 percentile points, placing it well above the typical American county. This reflects particularly strong tax efficiency and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Above average in Iowa's county rankings
At 70.9, Greene County surpasses Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It represents a solid choice within Iowa's competitive livability landscape.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes in the peer group
Greene's tax score of 68.6 is the highest among these eight counties, with an effective tax rate of just 1.197%, making it the most tax-efficient option. Housing cost of 81.7 and health score of 75.9 provide additional solid fundamentals.
4 / 5
Income growth potential remains limited
Income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,159 is the lowest in this peer set, indicating wage growth may lag regional averages. Risk score of 68.2 suggests moderate economic vulnerability compared to stronger performers.
5 / 5
Ideal for tax-conscious retirees and savers
Greene County appeals to retirees, fixed-income households, and tax-conscious families seeking maximum disposable income through low tax burdens. If reducing your tax liability is a top priority, Greene's exceptional tax efficiency stands out.
Greene County's composite score of 70.9 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 42 percentile points, placing it well above the typical American county. This reflects particularly strong tax efficiency and housing affordability.
Above average in Iowa's county rankings
At 70.9, Greene County surpasses Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It represents a solid choice within Iowa's competitive livability landscape.
Lowest taxes in the peer group
Greene's tax score of 68.6 is the highest among these eight counties, with an effective tax rate of just 1.197%, making it the most tax-efficient option. Housing cost of 81.7 and health score of 75.9 provide additional solid fundamentals.
Income growth potential remains limited
Income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,159 is the lowest in this peer set, indicating wage growth may lag regional averages. Risk score of 68.2 suggests moderate economic vulnerability compared to stronger performers.
Ideal for tax-conscious retirees and savers
Greene County appeals to retirees, fixed-income households, and tax-conscious families seeking maximum disposable income through low tax burdens. If reducing your tax liability is a top priority, Greene's exceptional tax efficiency stands out.
Score breakdown
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🏛68.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Greene County's effective rate of 1.197% ranks in the top 10% nationally, placing it around the 30th percentile. Homeowners pay just $1,682 annually on the median property—37% less than the national median of $2,690.
The state's most tax-friendly county
Greene County ranks 1st among Iowa's 99 counties with the lowest effective tax rate of 1.197%—0.147 percentage points below the state average. Its median tax of $1,682 is the most affordable in the state.
Clear regional tax leader
Greene County's 1.197% rate significantly undercuts all nearby counties, including Fayette (1.316%), Fremont (1.300%), and Guthrie (1.325%). It stands as the region's most tax-efficient option by a substantial margin.
Annual tax on $140,500 home
Greene County's median home value is $140,500, resulting in a median annual tax of $1,682. With a mortgage, the figure is $1,780; without, $1,577.
Still worth reviewing your assessment
Even in Iowa's lowest-tax county, some homeowners are overassessed relative to current market value. A free appeal could reduce your bill further if your assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales.
Greene County residents spend 15.7% of income on rent, noticeably above the national average and approaching the threshold where housing affordability becomes strained. With median incomes of $59,159—below the national median—the burden falls heaviest on lower-earning households.
Above-average cost pressure in Iowa
Greene's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Iowa's 14.1% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. The county ranks in the upper tier of housing cost burden across Iowa.
Higher rents than most nearby counties
Greene's median rent of $774 ranks second-highest in the region, behind only Fayette County's $813, and substantially above Franklin ($649) and Floyd ($672). Combined with below-median incomes, Greene renters face greater affordability pressure than neighbors.
Housing takes a significant income share
Greene households earn $59,159 annually while spending $774 on rent or $844 on homeownership—consuming nearly 16% of income before other expenses. The median home value of $140,500 is relatively accessible, but renters here face tighter budgets.
Greene demands careful budget planning
If relocating to Greene County, ensure your income supports the 15.7% housing burden and higher rents than neighboring Franklin or Floyd. Consider exploring adjacent counties where your income stretches further.
Greene County's median household income of $59,159 lags the national median of $74,755 by 21%. The county faces the income headwinds common to smaller rural Iowa communities.
Below Iowa's State Median
Greene's $59,159 median falls notably below Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking it among the lower-income counties statewide. Per capita income of $36,237 also underperforms the state average of $37,136.
Lowest Earner in This County Group
Greene's $59,159 income makes it the second-lowest earner in this cluster, outpacing only Fayette County's $58,764. Nearby Grundy and Guthrie counties earn 41–35% more, reflecting stark economic divergence.
Housing Costs Consume More Here
Greene's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% is the highest in this region, meaning housing costs consume a larger share of household earnings. With median home values of $140,500, affordability requires careful budgeting.
Strategic Planning Overcomes Income Limits
Greene households earning $59,159 must prioritize budgeting to fund savings and investments alongside housing obligations. Employer retirement plans and automatic savings transfers—even modest amounts—build wealth despite tight margins.
Greene County residents live an average of 76.8 years, about 2.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 15.9% of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county sits near the middle of regional health outcomes, suggesting a mix of well-managed chronic disease and unmet health needs. Targeted prevention efforts could help close this gap.
Slightly below Iowa's life expectancy benchmark
Greene County's 76.8-year life expectancy is 0.9 years below Iowa's 77.7-year state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. The 15.9% poor/fair health rate suggests residents experience manageable disease burden, yet the shortened lifespan indicates room for improvement in mortality prevention and healthcare optimization.
Mid-range performer with strong provider access
Greene County's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks slightly above Floyd (76.7 years) but below Fayette (77.1 years), placing it squarely in the region's middle. However, it boasts the highest primary care (69 per 100K) and mental health provider density (105 per 100K) in the entire region, suggesting strong infrastructure that hasn't yet fully translated to longer lifespans.
Best-in-region healthcare provider access
Greene County stands out with 69 primary care providers and 105 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding neighboring counties and reflecting strong healthcare infrastructure. An uninsured rate of 5.8% is slightly above the state average but remains manageable, meaning most residents can tap into these abundant resources. This rare advantage should translate to better health outcomes if barriers to care are addressed.
Access expert care with the right coverage
Greene County's exceptional provider network is most valuable when residents have insurance to access it; with a 5.8% uninsured rate, ensure you're covered. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to enroll in a plan that lets you fully leverage the county's strong healthcare workforce.
Greene County's composite risk score of 31.77 sits substantially below the national average, earning a "Very Low" risk rating. The county faces significantly less natural disaster exposure than typical American communities.
Below-average risk for Iowa
Greene County scores 31.77 versus Iowa's 39.68 state average, placing it among the safer Iowa counties. The county enjoys lower natural hazard exposure than most of its statewide peers.
Mid-range safety in central Iowa
Greene County's 31.77 score places it between Fremont (14.98) and Fayette (50.89) counties regionally, occupying a moderate-safety tier. It ranks safer than both Fayette and Floyd to the northeast, but faces slightly higher risk than Fremont to the southwest.
Tornadoes the primary concern
Tornado risk dominates Greene County's hazard profile at 65.52, the leading threat residents face. Flood and wildfire risks remain low at 12.02 and 10.31 respectively, creating a tornado-focused risk environment.
Prioritize tornado readiness
Greene County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and develop a household tornado safety plan with a designated shelter location. Flood insurance is unnecessary for most properties, but all residents should practice tornado drills during spring storm season.