Liberty County's composite score of 72.2 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong fundamentals across core livability dimensions. This 44% advantage places the county solidly in the upper half of American counties.
2 / 5
Above-Average Performer in Florida
Liberty County scores 72.2 compared to Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking above most state counties on overall livability measures. The county's cost-focused advantage positions it favorably within the state's competitive landscape.
3 / 5
Strong Housing Affordability Focus
Liberty County's cost score of 81.6 enables median rent of just $968 and median home values of $117,600, among Florida's most affordable markets. The tax score of 77.6 with an effective rate of 0.877% further enhances the county's economic appeal.
4 / 5
Limited Income and Economic Opportunities
The income score of 18.5 reflects a median household income of $53,824, indicating limited career advancement potential for residents. Data gaps remain for safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions, preventing full livability assessment.
5 / 5
Suited for Retirees and Remote Workers
Liberty County appeals to those whose income comes from external sources—retirees, remote workers, or those with established savings. The county's exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes create an attractive environment for self-sufficient individuals seeking minimal living costs.
Liberty County's composite score of 72.2 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong fundamentals across core livability dimensions. This 44% advantage places the county solidly in the upper half of American counties.
Above-Average Performer in Florida
Liberty County scores 72.2 compared to Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking above most state counties on overall livability measures. The county's cost-focused advantage positions it favorably within the state's competitive landscape.
Strong Housing Affordability Focus
Liberty County's cost score of 81.6 enables median rent of just $968 and median home values of $117,600, among Florida's most affordable markets. The tax score of 77.6 with an effective rate of 0.877% further enhances the county's economic appeal.
Limited Income and Economic Opportunities
The income score of 18.5 reflects a median household income of $53,824, indicating limited career advancement potential for residents. Data gaps remain for safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions, preventing full livability assessment.
Suited for Retirees and Remote Workers
Liberty County appeals to those whose income comes from external sources—retirees, remote workers, or those with established savings. The county's exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes create an attractive environment for self-sufficient individuals seeking minimal living costs.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Liberty County's effective tax rate of 0.877% considerably exceeds the national median of 0.71%, yet its median tax of $1,031 remains far below the national median of $2,690. This reflects the county's extremely modest property values—among Florida's lowest—paired with aggressive tax rates.
Highest tax rate in Florida
Liberty County's effective rate of 0.877% ranks as the highest among all surveyed Florida counties, substantially exceeding the state average of 0.731%. Despite this steep rate, its median tax of just $1,031 remains below the state median of $1,885, due to minimal property values.
Highest tax rate in the entire region
Liberty's 0.877% rate tops all eight surveyed counties, edging even Madison (0.876%) and substantially exceeding Lafayette (0.646%) and Levy (0.648%). Yet its median tax of $1,031 ranks among the lowest regionally because homes are valued under $118,000.
What taxes cost in Liberty County
A homeowner with a median-valued property of $117,600 pays approximately $1,031 annually in property taxes—roughly $86 per month. Despite the county's highest tax rate statewide, the overall burden remains modest due to low property values.
Assess whether your property is fairly valued
Liberty County's highest-in-state tax rate makes accurate assessments especially critical; overvalued properties can be successfully appealed. If your home's market value has declined or stagnated while assessments climb, a formal challenge could provide meaningful savings.
Liberty County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio sits below the national average, offering renters better value than typical American markets. At $968 monthly rent on a median income of $53,824, Liberty delivers affordability combined with low-cost ownership options.
Below Florida's affordability average
Liberty County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio undercuts Florida's state average of 22.5%, positioning it among the state's more affordable rural communities. This edge reflects Liberty's small population and slower growth compared to urban hubs.
Competitive with other rural counties
Liberty County's $968 median rent sits between cheaper rural options like Levy ($826) and pricier urban-influenced counties, reflecting its position as a small Panhandle community. While home values are the lowest in this regional cluster at $117,600, Liberty's household incomes are also modest, maintaining the affordability equation.
Exceptional value for homeowners
Liberty County renters pay $968 monthly (21.6% of income), while homeowners spend just $609 on mortgages for median homes under $118,000—the lowest in the region. Homeownership here offers extraordinary value, consuming only 13.5% of household income compared to renters' 21.6% burden.
Liberty County: hidden gem for owners
Liberty County combines small-town affordability with extraordinarily low home values ($117,600) and minimal mortgage burdens, making it ideal for buyers seeking maximum homeownership value. While rural, Liberty's 21.6% rent ratio beats Florida's average, and for those able to purchase, the ownership costs remain unmatched in the state.
Liberty County's median household income of $53,824 falls about 28% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $25,693 is among the lowest, indicating limited earnings opportunities across the population.
Among Florida's most challenged counties
At $53,824, Liberty County's median household income ranks well below Florida's state average of $65,468 by approximately $11,600. The county consistently places in the bottom tier of Florida's 67 counties for household earnings.
Isolated rural economy constrains growth
Liberty County's $53,824 median income sits nearly level with Levy County ($53,805) but trails Lafayette ($60,692) significantly. The county's remote location and small population limit job diversity and wage competition for workers.
Housing affordability the bright spot
Liberty County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% keeps housing costs manageable, and the median home value of just $117,600 is highly accessible. Low housing costs provide financial breathing room despite modest household incomes.
Build wealth through discipline and patience
Liberty County residents can build financial security through automatic savings accounts and employer retirement plans, even with modest incomes. Leveraging the county's affordable housing creates opportunity for home equity accumulation and wealth transfer to future generations.
Liberty County residents achieve a life expectancy of 74.3 years, nearly 4.6 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 23.6% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds the national average of 17%, indicating serious population health challenges.
Among Florida's lowest health rankings
At 74.3 years, Liberty County's life expectancy falls well short of Florida's state average of 75.8 years. The county's 15.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Florida's 14.4%, compounding health access barriers for vulnerable residents.
Data gaps complicate care assessment
Primary care provider data for Liberty County is limited, making full comparison to neighbors difficult. However, the county reports an unusually high 532 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—data that may reflect definitional differences and warrants verification with local health officials.
Healthcare access presents challenges
With 15.8% of residents uninsured and limited primary care provider data available, Liberty County residents face barriers to routine preventive and acute care. The county's high rate of poor/fair health (23.6%) suggests these access gaps significantly impact population outcomes.
Explore coverage options immediately
Nearly 1 in 6 Liberty County residents remain uninsured—a critical gap given local healthcare constraints. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county health department today to understand Medicaid eligibility and marketplace plan options for your household.
Liberty County's composite risk score of 12.66 with a 'Very Low' rating places it among the nation's most disaster-resilient counties. The exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure to earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods across most of the county.
Florida's second-safest county
Liberty County's score of 12.66 trails only Lafayette County (15.90) among Florida's 67 counties, placing it firmly in the state's safety tier. With a score less than one-sixth of Florida's state average (75.74), Liberty residents enjoy exceptional natural disaster protection.
Notably safer than surrounding northern Florida
Liberty County's 12.66 score substantially outpaces neighboring Madison (47.42) and Levy (66.09), reflecting its inland, rural geography. This geographic advantage places Liberty in an exceptional risk class compared to coastal and more densely populated Florida regions.
Hurricane risk remains the primary concern
Despite overall low risk, Liberty County's hurricane risk score of 82.06 indicates that tropical storms still pose a genuine threat to residents. While tornadoes (28.31) and floods (28.60) remain relatively unlikely, hurricane season preparedness remains important.
Hurricane coverage is the main insurance priority
Liberty County homeowners should ensure comprehensive hurricane and wind insurance to address the county's primary seasonal hazard. Basic homeowners policies combined with windstorm coverage provide adequate protection given Liberty's exceptionally favorable overall risk profile.