Hickory County's composite score of 77.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 55%, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals. This above-median performance is driven primarily by exceptional tax and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Missouri's top affordability play
Hickory County scores 77.5 compared to Missouri's average of 74.8, placing it in the upper tier statewide. The county ranks among Missouri's most tax-friendly and affordable-housing communities, outperforming most rural peers.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes, most affordable housing
Hickory County boasts the strongest tax score of 89.0 with a rock-bottom effective tax rate of 0.472%, paired with a cost score of 86.7. Median home values of $123,200 and monthly rent at $699 make this county exceptionally attractive to budget-focused households.
4 / 5
Incomes lag significantly behind
The income score of just 6.3 reflects the county's economic reality: median household income stands at only $35,084, well below state and national averages. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.
5 / 5
Best for ultra-budget-conscious seekers
Hickory County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing maximum purchasing power over wage growth. The 77.5 livability score reflects a genuinely affordable place, though residents must accept modest local income levels.
Hickory County's composite score of 77.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 55%, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals. This above-median performance is driven primarily by exceptional tax and housing affordability.
Missouri's top affordability play
Hickory County scores 77.5 compared to Missouri's average of 74.8, placing it in the upper tier statewide. The county ranks among Missouri's most tax-friendly and affordable-housing communities, outperforming most rural peers.
Lowest taxes, most affordable housing
Hickory County boasts the strongest tax score of 89.0 with a rock-bottom effective tax rate of 0.472%, paired with a cost score of 86.7. Median home values of $123,200 and monthly rent at $699 make this county exceptionally attractive to budget-focused households.
Incomes lag significantly behind
The income score of just 6.3 reflects the county's economic reality: median household income stands at only $35,084, well below state and national averages. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.
Best for ultra-budget-conscious seekers
Hickory County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing maximum purchasing power over wage growth. The 77.5 livability score reflects a genuinely affordable place, though residents must accept modest local income levels.
Score breakdown
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🏛89
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.472%, Hickory County's effective tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, sitting well below the national median of 0.94% and landing in roughly the top 5th percentile. Median home values of $123,200 mean residents pay just $581 annually—78% less than the national median tax of $2,690.
Lowest taxing county in Missouri
Hickory County's 0.472% effective rate substantially undercuts Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it the most tax-friendly county in the state. The median annual tax of $581 represents the lowest burden among Missouri's 114 counties.
Tax haven among regional peers
Hickory's 0.472% rate is dramatically lower than neighboring Howell County (0.554%), Holt County (0.773%), and Harrison County (0.824%). This county stands out as a rare tax haven in central Missouri, offering substantially lower rates than any peer.
Hickory's remarkable affordability
On a median home value of $123,200, Hickory County's ultra-low 0.472% rate produces an annual tax bill of just $581—roughly $48 per month. Even with mortgage-related assessments, the bill rises only to about $759 yearly.
Even Hickory assessments can be wrong
Despite county-wide low rates, individual property assessments in Hickory can still be inflated relative to comparable homes. If your assessment seems disproportionately high, Missouri law protects your right to appeal and request reassessment.
Hickory County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.9% dramatically exceeds national affordability thresholds, signaling serious housing strain for renters. With median household income just $35,084—less than half the national average of $74,755—housing costs consume nearly a quarter of earnings here.
Missouri's most strained county
At 23.9%, Hickory County's rent burden towers above Missouri's 15.6% state average, placing it among the state's least affordable regions. This gap reflects both lower incomes and housing demand that strains local workers' budgets.
Significantly harder hit than neighbors
Hickory's 23.9% rent ratio far exceeds nearby Harrison (15.0%), Henry (15.7%), and Howell (17.4%), marking it as a distinct affordability outlier. Despite modest rents of $699, low median income creates a severe mismatch between housing costs and earnings.
Income too low for housing costs
Renters pay $699 monthly on a median household income of just $35,084, consuming 23.9% of earnings—nearly double the manageable threshold. Even owners face strain at $606 monthly (20.7% of income), leaving limited resources for other essentials.
Relocate only if jobs follow
Hickory County's severe affordability crisis means relocating here requires securing above-median income to survive housing costs comfortably. Consider this county only if your job prospects significantly exceed local median earnings—otherwise, neighboring counties offer substantially better financial breathing room.
Hickory County's median household income of $35,084 trails the national median by 53.1%—the largest gap among these eight counties. This income challenge reflects structural economic headwinds in rural Appalachian Missouri.
Lowest income in Missouri sample
Hickory County ranks among Missouri's lowest-income counties, earning 41.0% less than the state average of $59,503. This gap signals acute economic distress requiring targeted investment and opportunity expansion.
Significantly behind all peer counties
Hickory County's $35,084 income lags every comparable county in this analysis, including Howell ($49,814) and Iron ($51,161). This isolation at the bottom of the income distribution indicates concentrated economic disadvantage.
Housing strain signals broader stress
Hickory County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.9% approaches the danger threshold of 30%, indicating housing affordability pressure. Combined with low median income, this signals households have limited financial cushion for emergencies or investment.
Prioritize stability and skill investment
With per capita income at just $21,208, Hickory County households should focus on income diversification and low-cost skill development. Accessing community college programs, grants, and employer training can unlock higher-wage pathways without debt burden.
At 73.1 years, Hickory County residents live over 3 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly a quarter—24.6%—report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these eight counties.
Below Missouri's average in life expectancy
Hickory County's 73.1-year life expectancy trails Missouri's state average of 74.3 years by 1.2 years, indicating persistent health disparities. The county's 13.2% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 12.5%.
Struggling compared to nearby counties
Hickory County's 73.1-year life expectancy lags Harrison County by 4 years and Holt County by 5.1 years. The shortage of primary care providers—only 12 per 100K—is among the lowest in the region.
Provider shortage limits healthcare access
Hickory County has just 12 primary care providers per 100K population, creating significant access barriers for routine care. Combined with a 13.2% uninsured rate, residents face dual challenges in securing timely, affordable healthcare.
Getting covered is your first step
With 13.2% uninsured, Hickory County residents benefit urgently from coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore your options and connect with the care you need.
Hickory County's composite risk score of 23.47 places it in the Very Low category and well below the national average. Your county faces substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.
One of Missouri's lowest-risk areas
At 23.47, Hickory County scores less than 46% of Missouri's average risk of 50.56, ranking among the state's safest counties. This favorable positioning reflects below-average exposure across most major hazard types.
Among the region's safest options
Hickory County's risk profile is lower than Harrison County (29.33) and significantly safer than Henry County (52.77) in central Missouri. Your county remains well-protected compared to the broader regional risk landscape.
Wildfire and tornado awareness needed
Wildfire risk is elevated at 69.37, making it Hickory County's primary concern despite overall low composite risk. Tornado risk (46.53) and earthquake risk (42.94) are moderate secondary concerns requiring basic preparedness.
Focus on wildfire preparedness
Hickory County homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance and defensible space maintenance, especially in forested areas. A basic emergency plan and disaster kit appropriate to wildfire and tornado threats will provide essential protection.