Kiowa's composite score of 76.0 ranks 26 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among top-performing U.S. counties. The score reflects exceptional strength in housing affordability and low taxes.
2 / 5
Strong performer within Colorado counties
Kiowa ranks above Colorado's state average with a score of 76.0 versus 71.8, placing it among the state's more livable counties. The county distinguishes itself through cost efficiency despite eastern plains geography.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and low housing costs
Kiowa leads with a cost score of 82.4—second only to Huerfano—featuring the lowest median home value of $148,600 and the second-lowest rent at $869 monthly. A tax score of 86.0 and effective rate of 0.580% round out strong economic fundamentals.
4 / 5
Limited income generation and job diversity
The income score of 20.2 reflects median household earnings of just $56,389, indicating an agricultural/rural economy with limited wage growth potential. Safety, health, educational, and environmental data remain unavailable to assess quality-of-life dimensions.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-conscious rural families
Kiowa attracts retirees, agricultural workers, and families seeking minimal living costs in rural Colorado. The county's extreme affordability makes it invaluable for those content with small-town plains living and willing to trade employment options for unmatched housing accessibility.
Kiowa's composite score of 76.0 ranks 26 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among top-performing U.S. counties. The score reflects exceptional strength in housing affordability and low taxes.
Strong performer within Colorado counties
Kiowa ranks above Colorado's state average with a score of 76.0 versus 71.8, placing it among the state's more livable counties. The county distinguishes itself through cost efficiency despite eastern plains geography.
Exceptional affordability and low housing costs
Kiowa leads with a cost score of 82.4—second only to Huerfano—featuring the lowest median home value of $148,600 and the second-lowest rent at $869 monthly. A tax score of 86.0 and effective rate of 0.580% round out strong economic fundamentals.
Limited income generation and job diversity
The income score of 20.2 reflects median household earnings of just $56,389, indicating an agricultural/rural economy with limited wage growth potential. Safety, health, educational, and environmental data remain unavailable to assess quality-of-life dimensions.
Ideal for budget-conscious rural families
Kiowa attracts retirees, agricultural workers, and families seeking minimal living costs in rural Colorado. The county's extreme affordability makes it invaluable for those content with small-town plains living and willing to trade employment options for unmatched housing accessibility.
Score breakdown
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🏛86
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.580%, Kiowa's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.52%, placing it in approximately the 75th percentile of U.S. counties. Kiowa homeowners face substantially higher tax burdens relative to their properties' values than most Americans.
Kiowa ranks highest among Colorado counties
Kiowa's 0.580% rate is the highest among all Colorado counties examined here, far exceeding the state average of 0.393%. Kiowa residents bear the heaviest property tax burden relative to home values in this group.
Kiowa's rate dwarfs all compared counties
Kiowa's 0.580% rate is nearly double Huerfano County's (0.275%) and roughly three times Jackson County's (0.205%). Kiowa stands alone as the significantly highest-taxed county in this analysis.
Median home: $862 annual property tax
With a median home value of $148,600—well below state averages—Kiowa homeowners pay approximately $862 per year in property taxes. The high effective rate means residents pay more tax per dollar of home value than anywhere else in this comparison.
Kiowa residents should prioritize appeals
Given the county's exceptionally high effective rate, Kiowa homeowners have the most to gain from property tax appeals. Even modest reductions from assessment corrections can meaningfully lower these already-elevated tax bills.
Kiowa County renters spend 18.5% of income on rent—a healthy affordability ratio—at just $869 monthly. However, median income of $56,389 runs significantly below the national average of $74,755, limiting overall economic security despite low housing costs.
Below-average income, good rent ratio
Kiowa's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% ranks it below Colorado's 20.2% state average, placing housing in the affordable category. Yet the county's low median income ($56,389) suggests broader economic challenges beyond housing.
Kiowa leads on affordability metrics
Kiowa's $869 median rent and median home value of $148,600 are the lowest among all counties examined, rivaling even Huerfano County. Its rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% beats most peers, making Kiowa genuinely accessible for budget-conscious renters.
Lowest home prices, tight wages
Kiowa renters spend $869 monthly (18.5% of $56,389), the lowest absolute rent across all counties, while owners pay $677. These ultra-low housing costs are offset by the county's limited job market and below-average incomes.
Kiowa for remote and retired workers
Kiowa offers unbeatable affordability if you bring income from outside the county—remote work, retirement, or freelance revenue. If relying on local jobs, explore neighboring counties with stronger employment bases.
Kiowa County's median household income of $56,389 falls 25% short of the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects the county's rural agricultural character and limited employment diversity in the eastern Colorado plains.
Lower-tier Colorado county
Kiowa County's median household income of $56,389 is $18,403 below Colorado's state average of $74,792, placing it in the state's lower-income tier. Dependence on ranching, farming, and limited regional development constrains earning potential.
Plains poverty amid mountain affluence
Kiowa's $56,389 median trails all mountain counties and sits just slightly above Huerfano ($52,139), though it exceeds Jackson County's crisis incomes. The county's isolation on the eastern plains limits access to metropolitan employment centers.
Affordable housing, modest incomes
Kiowa's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% is reasonable, and the median home value of $148,600 is extremely affordable. However, lower absolute incomes limit discretionary spending and wealth-building capacity for most households.
Leverage agricultural assets wisely
Kiowa households with agricultural operations should diversify income streams and protect land assets through succession planning. Remote work and part-time employment in regional centers can supplement farm income and accelerate wealth accumulation.
Kiowa County's life expectancy isn't publicly available, but its 19.7% poor/fair health rate ties Jackson County as the worst in this analysis—more than double the national average. This suggests serious underlying health challenges in Colorado's eastern plains.
Worst reported health outcomes in Colorado
Kiowa's 19.7% poor/fair health rate is among Colorado's most troubling, nearly double the state's healthiest counties. Though life expectancy data is unavailable, this self-reported health crisis indicates Kiowa faces acute wellness and access disparities.
Plains county struggling alongside Jackson
Kiowa's 19.7% poor/fair health rate matches Jackson County's crisis level, significantly exceeding even Huerfano (18.9%). Both eastern counties face worse outcomes than all mountain peers, suggesting geographic and economic factors compound health challenges in Colorado's plains.
Limited primary care, small mental health footprint
Kiowa lacks available primary care provider data, a sign of its sparse rural healthcare infrastructure, and has just 72 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. At 6.6% uninsured, the rate is reasonable, suggesting insurance alone isn't solving Kiowa's health access crisis.
Kiowa families need action and advocacy
Kiowa's 19.7% poor/fair health rate demands urgent response from residents and policymakers alike. Ensure your family has coverage via healthcare.gov or Medicaid, and advocate for expanded telehealth and community health center resources in eastern Colorado.
With a composite risk score of just 3.79, Kiowa County is among the nation's lowest-risk counties for natural disasters. Its "Very Low" rating reflects minimal hazard exposure across the board.
Colorado's second-safest county
Kiowa's 3.79 score ranks it just behind Hinsdale County (1.02) and well below Colorado's state average of 40.67. This eastern plains county enjoys exceptional protection from most hazard types.
Dramatically safer than western counties
Kiowa's 3.79 score vastly undercuts the mountain and foothill counties to its west, including Jackson County (11.77) and Huerfano County (24.24). Its flat, dry terrain provides natural hazard protection.
Wildfire and tornado pose modest risks
Wildfire risk (51.24) and tornado risk (15.27) are Kiowa's primary hazards, though both remain far below state and national averages. Flood and earthquake risks are exceptionally minimal.
Standard coverage provides ample protection
Kiowa County's exceptional safety profile means basic homeowner insurance typically meets your needs for natural disaster protection. Verify wildfire coverage exists, though risk remains low compared to other Colorado counties.