CountyScore

Lafayette County

Missouri · MO

#62 in Missouri
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Lafayette County, Missouri

Lafayette ranks in upper third nationally

Lafayette County's composite score of 74.3 places it at the 74th percentile nationally, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This positions it among America's more livable counties based on current tax, housing, and income data.

Matches Missouri's average county score

With a score of 74.3, Lafayette ranks essentially at Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 115 counties. It's a typical Missouri county—neither standout nor struggling.

Strong income and reasonable taxes

Lafayette's median household income of $79,091 and income score of 35.0 rank among the highest in this county set. Combined with a tax score of 80.7 and effective rate of 0.766%, residents enjoy solid earning power with tax relief.

Moderate housing costs for higher incomes

With median home values at $200,300 and rent averaging $848 per month, Lafayette's cost score of 79.4 is moderate—not the most or least affordable. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is still pending, leaving key decisions incomplete.

Middle-class families balancing income and affordability

Lafayette County appeals to households with solid middle-to-upper-middle incomes seeking reasonable housing costs and moderate taxes. This is balanced living—good wages, fair housing prices, and sufficient tax burden relief for comfortable family life.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax80.7Cost79.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome35Risk47.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Lafayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Lafayette County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lafayette County

via TaxByCounty

Lafayette County runs slightly above state average

At 0.766%, Lafayette County's effective tax rate exceeds Missouri's 0.733% average by about half a percentage point, yet remains well below the national median of 0.935%. The median property tax of $1,534 on a home valued at $200,300 reflects moderate rates in a moderately priced housing market.

Lafayette ranks solidly above the state median

Lafayette County's 0.766% effective rate places it in the upper-middle tier of Missouri's 115 counties, above the statewide average. The median tax of $1,534 is 28% higher than Missouri's median of $1,199, reflecting both higher home values and above-average tax rates.

Lafayette taxes moderately in the region

Lafayette County's 0.766% rate falls between Jasper County (0.739%) and Jefferson County (0.839%), making it a moderate option in the eight-county region. It runs notably higher than Lawrence (0.606%), Johnson (0.684%), and Laclede (0.652%), but lower than Knox (0.802%).

A $200,300 home costs about $1,534 yearly

The median Lafayette County homeowner pays approximately $1,534 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that typically rises to $1,589 due to escrow requirements; without a mortgage, it drops to $1,454.

Appeal if your assessment seems inflated

Many Lafayette County homeowners are overassessed relative to their property's true market value. Filing a formal appeal with the county assessor could reveal whether your assessed value is justified—and potentially lower your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lafayette County

via CostByCounty

Lafayette County excels in affordability

Lafayette County renters spend just 12.9% of income on housing, well below the national burden of 18.3%, delivering exceptional affordability. Median household income of $79,091 exceeds the U.S. average by $4,336, creating a double advantage for residents.

Missouri's affordability standout

Lafayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% is the lowest among comparable Missouri counties and well below the state average of 15.6%. At $848 median rent paired with robust income, Lafayette residents enjoy some of Missouri's best housing value.

Best income-to-rent balance in region

Lafayette County's $848 rent and $79,091 income combination is superior to all compared counties; it rivals Jefferson's affordability while offering lower rent. The rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% is the lowest in the entire regional comparison set.

Housing leaves ample budget flexibility

Renters spend $848 monthly and homeowners $907 from a $79,091 median household income. Housing accounts for only 13–14% of pre-tax income, well within comfort zones and allowing substantial resources for savings and other priorities.

Premium affordability with strong income

Lafayette County delivers the region's best combination of reasonable housing costs and robust earning potential. If you value affordability without sacrificing income opportunities or community resources, Lafayette County is Missouri's premier relocation destination.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lafayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Lafayette exceeds national income

Lafayette County's median household income of $79,091 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $4,336 annually. This solid positioning places Lafayette above the national average and firmly in the upper-middle income tier.

Second-highest in Missouri

Lafayette County ranks second among Missouri counties surveyed with a median income of $79,091, trailing only Jefferson County's $80,522. This exceptional performance places Lafayette well above the state average of $59,503, by nearly $20,000.

Lafayette leads regional earners

Lafayette's $79,091 income nearly matches Jefferson County ($80,522) and substantially exceeds Johnson County ($67,123) and Jasper County ($57,525). This strength reflects Lafayette's role as a regional economic center with stable professional employment.

Excellent housing affordability

Lafayette's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% ranks among the nation's best, well below the 18% standard, freeing up household income for other priorities. Median home values of $200,300 remain reasonable relative to earnings, supporting accessible homeownership.

Accelerate long-term wealth goals

Lafayette households should maximize retirement contributions, explore diversified investment accounts, and consider real estate or business opportunities. With above-average income and excellent housing affordability, Lafayette residents are positioned to build substantial generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lafayette County

via HealthByCounty

Lafayette approaches national health benchmarks

Lafayette County's 74.9-year life expectancy comes within 4.0 years of the U.S. average of 78.9 years, representing respectable longevity. Just 19.0% of residents report poor or fair health, below national trends and suggesting a relatively healthy population. Lafayette sits in the middle-to-upper range of this county comparison.

Lafayette nearly matches Missouri averages

At 74.9 years, Lafayette's life expectancy nearly ties Missouri's 74.3-year average—only 0.6 years above the state baseline. With 19.0% of residents in poor or fair health and an 11.9% uninsured rate just shy of the state's 12.5%, Lafayette mirrors broader Missouri health outcomes. The county represents a typical health profile for the state.

Lafayette holds steady amid mixed regional picture

Lafayette's 74.9-year life expectancy nearly ties Jefferson (75.0 years) and sits above Jasper (73.8 years) and Lawrence (73.6 years), but trails Knox (75.7 years) and Johnson (75.5 years). Its 19.0% poor/fair health rate ranks in the middle of the regional pack, suggesting neither exceptional nor dire population health. Lafayette occupies the moderate center of this region's health landscape.

Limited primary care, but solid mental health access

Lafayette has just 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in this county set—though 157 mental health providers per 100K offer decent behavioral care. An 11.9% uninsured rate is close to state average, but limited family doctor availability may force residents to wait longer for routine appointments or travel for care. Mental health services stand out as a relative strength.

Keep coverage and plan ahead

Lafayette's near-state-average uninsured rate suggests solid coverage uptake, but the limited primary care supply means you'll want insurance locked in to secure a spot with a doctor. Review your coverage annually on Healthcare.gov and consider workplace plans if available. Stable coverage helps you navigate the longer waits Lafayette's primary care shortages may create.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lafayette County

via RiskByCounty

Lafayette ranks near national average

Lafayette County's composite risk score of 52.51 sits just below the national average with a Relatively Low rating. The county faces typical to slightly-below-typical natural disaster exposure for the United States.

Slightly above Missouri's average risk

Lafayette's 52.51 score marginally exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the lower-risk category within the state. The county experiences near-average hazard exposure for Missouri communities.

Lower risk than most area counties

Lafayette County (52.51) faces significantly lower risk than neighbors Jefferson County (90.52) and Laclede County (66.03). It occupies a safer position relative to surrounding communities.

Tornado risk outpaces other hazards

Tornado risk reaches 66.22 in Lafayette County, making it the county's primary natural disaster concern. Flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks all remain well below state averages.

Prioritize tornado and storm coverage

Lafayette homeowners should ensure their policies explicitly cover tornado damage and maintain a safe shelter area. Flood insurance is optional given the county's low flood risk, allowing resources to focus on wind and storm protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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