Linn County scores 71.0, well above the national median of 50.0 and among the highest in this dataset. This strong performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions, particularly tax burden and housing cost.
2 / 5
Comfortably above Kansas average
Linn's composite score of 71.0 exceeds Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it in the top tier of Kansas counties. The county delivers notably better livability than most of its Kansas peers.
3 / 5
Excellent tax and cost profile
Linn's tax score of 71.5 is the highest in this dataset, with an effective rate of just 1.094%, and a cost score of 82.8 reflects median home values of $164,500 and rent of $682/month. This combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs is rare.
4 / 5
Limited income opportunity remains
Linn's income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,200 signals that earning potential is below state and national averages. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are currently unavailable.
5 / 5
Best for tax-conscious families
Linn County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and moderate housing costs over maximum earning potential. Its balanced profile makes it attractive for those with stable, portable income seeking to minimize tax burden and live affordably.
Linn County scores 71.0, well above the national median of 50.0 and among the highest in this dataset. This strong performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions, particularly tax burden and housing cost.
Comfortably above Kansas average
Linn's composite score of 71.0 exceeds Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it in the top tier of Kansas counties. The county delivers notably better livability than most of its Kansas peers.
Excellent tax and cost profile
Linn's tax score of 71.5 is the highest in this dataset, with an effective rate of just 1.094%, and a cost score of 82.8 reflects median home values of $164,500 and rent of $682/month. This combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs is rare.
Limited income opportunity remains
Linn's income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,200 signals that earning potential is below state and national averages. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are currently unavailable.
Best for tax-conscious families
Linn County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and moderate housing costs over maximum earning potential. Its balanced profile makes it attractive for those with stable, portable income seeking to minimize tax burden and live affordably.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.094%, Linn County's effective property tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it well below the national median of 1.409%. The median property tax of $1,800 remains below the national median of $2,690, delivering strong savings for homeowners.
Linn beats all Kansas counties on rate
Linn's 1.094% effective rate is the lowest among the eight counties examined and well below Kansas's statewide average of 1.549%. The county's median tax of $1,800 trails the state median of $1,943 by $143, making Linn one of Kansas's most tax-friendly jurisdictions.
Linn's low rate dominates the region
Linn County's 1.094% rate beats every neighboring county examined; the next lowest, Kiowa, checks in at 1.159%. For rural Kansas counties seeking tax relief, Linn stands out significantly.
Your property tax on median home value
A home valued at $164,500 in Linn County carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,800. With mortgage escrow included, your annual tax obligation reaches approximately $1,847.
Verify your assessment reflects fair value
Even in low-tax Linn County, homeowners should verify their assessments for accuracy and fairness; overvaluation corrections can yield additional savings. Contact the county appraiser to appeal if you believe your property is overassessed.
Linn County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% sits just below the national average, reflecting moderate housing costs relative to earnings. With median rent at $682 and household income at $59,200, Linn offers reasonable affordability for Kansas.
Linn stays below state average
Linn County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio beats the Kansas average of 14.7%, placing it slightly ahead of most state peers. Monthly rent of $682 runs $105 below the state median, contributing to Linn's favorable affordability ranking.
Linn balances cost and value
Linn's $682 rent falls between Lane County ($497) and Logan County ($796), while its $164,500 median home value ranks among the region's higher-value properties. This suggests Linn attracts buyers and renters seeking substance—more amenities and housing quality than ultra-low-cost neighbors.
Owner costs rise in Linn
Renters pay $682 monthly while homeowners average $886, reflecting Linn's higher median home value of $164,500 relative to neighboring counties. At 13.8% of income spent on rent, Linn renters maintain manageable housing expenses despite the county's modest household incomes.
Linn: quality meets affordability
Linn County strikes a balance—offering 13.8% rent-to-income affordability with higher-value homes ($164,500 median) than cheaper neighbors, suggesting better housing quality and local amenities. If you're weighing Linn against ultra-low-cost Lane County, consider what services and community features matter most to your move.
Linn County's median household income of $59,200 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,555—a 21% gap reflecting a below-average local economy. This positions Linn in the lower-middle tier nationally.
Near Kansas state average
Linn County's median household income of $59,200 sits slightly below Kansas's state average of $64,428, with a gap of roughly $5,228. Its per capita income of $36,213 exceeds the state average of $34,748.
Mid-range earner in region
Linn's $59,200 median income positions it above lower-earning Lane ($53,042) and Lincoln ($53,546) but below Kiowa ($73,214) and Leavenworth ($86,906). It represents moderate economic performance within its region.
Moderate housing affordability
With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.8%, Linn households maintain reasonable housing affordability, though the median home value of $164,500 is notably higher than other lower-income counties. Budgeting remains important but manageable.
Balanced savings and investment approach
Linn County households are well-positioned to balance current expenses with future security through regular 401(k) contributions and low-cost index investing. Moderate incomes support both debt management and wealth accumulation.
At 72.5 years, Linn County's life expectancy is 6.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years—among the lowest in the nation. With 16.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county reflects chronic health challenges requiring urgent community attention.
Shortest life expectancy in Kansas sample
Linn County's 72.5-year life expectancy falls 2.9 years below Kansas's 75.4-year average, the lowest among these eight counties. Though the 10.5% uninsured rate is near the state average of 11.5%, coverage gaps alone don't explain the pronounced longevity gap.
Health outcomes significantly lag region
Linn County's 72.5-year life expectancy trails neighboring Lincoln County by 4.7 years and Leavenworth County by 4.5 years. The county's critical shortage of primary care providers—just 10 per 100K versus state norms of 50+—severely restricts access to routine medical care.
Provider shortage blocks healthcare access
With only 10 primary care providers per 100K—compared to 69 in Lincoln County—Linn County residents face significant barriers to routine medical care. The 10.5% uninsured rate compounds this challenge, and 122 mental health providers per 100K cannot substitute for inadequate primary care infrastructure.
Insurance plus outreach can help
For Linn County's uninsured residents, Healthcare.gov enrollment is essential—10.5% of the population lacks coverage that could enable care access. Community health centers and telehealth options may help bridge the primary care provider gap while the county addresses long-term infrastructure needs.
Linn County's composite risk score of 12.25 places it firmly in the Very Low category, well below the national average. This southeastern Kansas county offers residents substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most of the nation.
Among Kansas's lowest-risk counties
Linn's score of 12.25 is less than half the Kansas state average of 29.89, making it one of the state's safest counties. Only Lane County (2.32) has a notably lower risk profile statewide.
Safer than regional comparables
Linn County's risk profile is substantially lower than neighboring Labette County (66.19), making it one of the region's safer communities. Linn benefits from a more favorable natural disaster exposure pattern than most eastern Kansas peers.
Tornado risk leads, but remains low
Tornado risk scores 38.87 in Linn County, its highest hazard exposure, though this remains below state averages. Wildfire (36.32) and flood (22.93) risks follow, representing secondary concerns in this relatively safe county.
Standard coverage typically adequate
Linn County's very low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for most residents. However, those in tornado-prone corridors should verify strong wind and tornado coverage is included in their policy.