countyscore
35.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Lawn Care 75Soil Quality 72.9

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Missouri

The High Price of Urban Living

Jackson County carries a composite score of 35.7, which is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This puts it in the bottom 20% of counties nationwide, primarily due to high costs and environmental risks. It reflects the trade-offs often found in major metropolitan areas.

Trailing the State Average

The county's score of 35.7 sits far below the Missouri state average of 50.3. While it serves as the state's economic engine, its low score highlights the high tax and cost burden compared to rural counties. It ranks near the bottom of the state for overall livability metrics.

Strong Incomes and Excellent Water

Jackson County offers the highest incomes in this set, with a median household income of $67,178. It also features superior infrastructure, earning an impressive Water Score of 86.0. These urban amenities attract a professional workforce that values modern services.

High Costs and Environmental Risk

The county struggles with an extremely low Risk Score of 3.5, indicating high vulnerability to various hazards. Financial pressures are also heavy, with a Cost Score of 18.1 and a Tax Score of 28.3 due to a 1.148% tax rate. Median rent is the highest in the group at $1,151.

Best for High-Earning Urbanites

Jackson County is designed for professionals and city-lovers who prioritize high-quality infrastructure and career opportunities. While the cost of living and taxes are high, the access to premium water and high-paying jobs is a significant draw. It is less suited for those seeking a quiet or low-cost lifestyle.

2040608010027.717.939.447.93658.83.58654.7Tax27.7Cost17.9Safety39.4Health47.9Schools36Income58.8Risk3.5Water86Weather54.735.5/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Jackson County DNA

Foverall

How Jackson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Jackson County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (3.5/100), though Water Quality (86/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27.7-24.3
Cost
17.9-30.1
Safety
39.4-15.600000000000001
Health
47.9
Schools
36-18
Income
58.8
Risk
3.5-43.5
Water
86+28
Weather
54.7
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$230,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,197/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$230,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $68,577/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

25.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Albany County
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Hoke County
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Gila County
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Sutter County
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Median income: $79,704
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Nearby counties

Clay County
Missouri
45.6
Wyandotte County
Kansas
37
Ray County
Missouri
43.2
Johnson County
Kansas
41.8
Lafayette County
Missouri
55.4
Platte County
Missouri
44.7
Cass County
Missouri
33
Leavenworth County
Kansas
39.4

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County's taxes run high

At 1.148%, Jackson County's effective rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.94%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationally. Residents pay $2,448 annually on a median home valued at $213,300—nearly matching the national median property tax of $2,690.

Missouri's highest-taxing county

Jackson County's 1.148% effective rate substantially exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it the most heavily taxed county in the state by far. The median tax of $2,448 runs more than double the state median of $1,199, reflecting both higher assessments and higher home values.

Tax burden far exceeds peers

Jackson County's 1.148% rate dwarfs all neighboring counties—Harrison (0.824%), Henry (0.801%), Howard (0.869%), and Howell (0.554%) are all substantially lower. Jackson's tax burden is the exception in Missouri, closer to national levels than to regional norms.

Jackson County homeowner costs

On a median home value of $213,300, Jackson County's 1.148% rate produces an annual tax of roughly $2,448, or about $204 per month. With mortgage-related assessments, the bill can reach approximately $2,574 yearly.

Jackson assessments warrant review

Given Jackson County's exceptionally high tax rate, homeowners should carefully review their property assessments to ensure they reflect fair market value. If your home is assessed higher than comparable recent sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal could substantially reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson County tops regional income

Jackson County's median household income of $67,178 closes to 10.1% below the national median of $74,755—the smallest gap among these eight counties. This reflects Jackson's status as Missouri's most economically robust county in this sample.

Significantly above state average

At $67,178, Jackson County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 12.8%, indicating economic strength well above typical state conditions. The county ranks in Missouri's upper tier by income.

Clear economic leader in cohort

Jackson County's $67,178 income decisively outpaces all seven peer counties, leading by $4,550 over Howard County ($62,628). This income advantage reflects Jackson's larger, more diversified economy centered on Kansas City.

Housing costs rise with prosperity

Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% is the highest in this group, reflecting elevated home values of $213,300. While housing costs consume more income, absolute earning power keeps affordability manageable.

Invest for long-term prosperity

Jackson County's per capita income of $38,344—highest in this sample—creates substantial capacity for wealth-building. Households should prioritize retirement savings, real estate investment, and diversified portfolios to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jackson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jackson County Safety in Perspective

Jackson County maintains a safety score of 97.8, performing better than the state average. Its total crime rate of 1376.7 per 100K is roughly 42% lower than the national average.

Outperforming the Missouri Average

The county stays ahead of Missouri’s average safety score of 97.0. Seventeen reporting agencies coordinate to manage public safety across this high-activity county.

Safely Positioned Relative to the State

Jackson County’s crime rate of 1376.7 per 100K is lower than the Missouri state average of 1926.2. It offers a relatively high level of security compared to other large counties.

Lower Violent Crime Than National Trends

Violent crime is low at 186.9 per 100K, which is about half the national average. Property crime at 1189.8 per 100K is also well below the national mark of 2,015.7.

Stay Vigilant Against Property Crime

Because property crime accounts for most local reports, homeowners should invest in monitored security systems. Visible cameras and smart locks serve as effective deterrents against opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jackson County

via WeatherByCounty

A Balanced Continental Climate in Jackson

Jackson County averages 54.2°F annually, aligning closely with the national median for temperate regions. The area experiences four distinct seasons with a healthy 42.3 inches of annual precipitation.

Reflecting Missouri's Central Climate Standards

Jackson County sits just below the Missouri state average temperature of 54.9°F. Its precipitation levels are also slightly lower than the state average, falling short of the 43.8-inch benchmark by about an inch and a half.

Consistent Weather Across the Metro

Jackson County shares nearly identical summer averages with Johnson County at 75.7°F. While its 10.9 inches of snow is standard for the region, it is slightly less than the 11.9 inches seen just to the east.

Thirty Days of Peak Summer Heat

The county experiences 33 days of extreme heat above 90°F, primarily during the 77.6°F average of July. Winters are cold but manageable, with a seasonal average of 31.6°F and roughly 11 inches of snow.

Prepare for Urban Summer Extremes

With over a month of 90-degree days, urban cooling and hydration are critical for Jackson County residents. Winter preparations should include reliable snow removal equipment for the 10.9-inch average snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jackson County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Urban and Rural Soils

Jackson County maintains an average pH of 6.43, which is very close to the national median of 6.5. This is notably higher than the Missouri average of 6.09, offering a neutral foundation that most plants prefer. Data on taxonomic order and dominant texture is not currently available for this metropolitan region.

Silt-Heavy Mix with Minimal Sand

The soil composition is dominated by 64.3% silt and 24.2% clay, with just 10.8% sand. This fine-textured mix is excellent for retaining nutrients but can become slick and heavy when wet. The low sand content means these soils are less prone to drying out but require care to avoid compaction in high-traffic areas.

High Water Capacity for Steady Growth

Jackson County features a strong Available Water Capacity of 0.198 in/in, outperforming the state average of 0.183 in/in. Organic matter sits at 2.52%, which is above the national average of 2.0% but lower than the Missouri state average of 4.74%. This soil provides a reliable reservoir for water, supporting healthy lawns and crops alike.

Localized Drainage Knowledge is Key

There is currently no dominant drainage class or hydrologic group data available for Jackson County. Given the high silt and clay content, water likely moves slowly through the soil profile in many areas. Urban gardeners and developers should perform site-specific drainage tests to ensure proper water flow.

Prime Growing in the KC Metro

In Hardiness Zone 6b, Jackson County is perfect for a diverse range of flowers, vegetables, and ornamental shrubs. A strong soil score of 72.9 indicates high potential for both home gardens and urban agriculture. Get growing in Kansas City today and take advantage of this well-balanced soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jackson County

via LawnByCounty

A Strong Outlook for Kansas City Lawns

Jackson County earns a respectable lawn difficulty score of 75.0, well above the Missouri average of 63.7. The zone 6b climate provides a reliable environment for maintaining attractive residential landscapes with standard care.

Solid Rain and Moderate Heat

The county averages 42.3 inches of rain annually, nearly hitting the Missouri average of 43.7. With 33 days of extreme heat, your lawn faces slightly less heat stress than the state average, supported by 3902 growing degree days.

High-Clay Soils Require Aeration

The soil pH of 6.43 is in the ideal range for grass health, but the 24.2% clay content can lead to compaction. Regular aeration is recommended for these urban and suburban soils to ensure oxygen and water reach the roots.

Moderate Drought and Current Dryness

Jackson County experienced 18 weeks of drought last year, which is manageable with a smart irrigation plan. All of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry, so keep an eye on soil moisture during the transition into summer.

Spring Kickoff in Mid-April

After the last frost on April 10, conditions are prime for seeding cool-season grasses. The 3902 growing degree days allow for a robust growing season that stretches until the first frosts arrive in late October.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jackson County's county score?
Jackson County, Missouri has a composite county score of 35.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Jackson County rank among counties in Missouri?
Jackson County ranks #110 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Jackson County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Jackson County is $2,575, with an effective tax rate of 1.12%. This earns Jackson County a tax score of 27.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County, Missouri is $68,577 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jackson County earns an income score of 58.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jackson County, Missouri a good place to live?
Jackson County scores 35.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #110 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Jackson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Jackson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.