Linn County's composite score of 77.3 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among the better counties nationwide. This performance reflects genuine competitive advantages in both cost and tax efficiency.
2 / 5
Missouri's affordable housing leader
At 77.3, Linn County scores 2.5 points above Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking among the state's strongest performers. The county demonstrates what small-town Missouri can deliver in livability metrics.
3 / 5
Unmatched affordability and low taxes
Linn County's standout strength is extreme housing affordability, with a cost score of 88.1, median home value of just $117,300, and rent at only $612/month. Combined with a tax score of 80.7 and 0.766% effective tax rate, Linn County offers the rare combination of low costs and minimal taxation.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain limited
The income score drops to 23.8, with median household income at just $61,975, reflecting fewer higher-wage jobs. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality scores are not yet available, leaving other livability dimensions uncertain.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-minded remote workers
Linn County is perfect for families and individuals with flexible, location-independent income who want maximum affordability. The low cost of living combined with reasonable taxes makes it exceptional for those whose income doesn't depend on local job markets.
Linn County's composite score of 77.3 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among the better counties nationwide. This performance reflects genuine competitive advantages in both cost and tax efficiency.
Missouri's affordable housing leader
At 77.3, Linn County scores 2.5 points above Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking among the state's strongest performers. The county demonstrates what small-town Missouri can deliver in livability metrics.
Unmatched affordability and low taxes
Linn County's standout strength is extreme housing affordability, with a cost score of 88.1, median home value of just $117,300, and rent at only $612/month. Combined with a tax score of 80.7 and 0.766% effective tax rate, Linn County offers the rare combination of low costs and minimal taxation.
Income opportunities remain limited
The income score drops to 23.8, with median household income at just $61,975, reflecting fewer higher-wage jobs. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality scores are not yet available, leaving other livability dimensions uncertain.
Ideal for budget-minded remote workers
Linn County is perfect for families and individuals with flexible, location-independent income who want maximum affordability. The low cost of living combined with reasonable taxes makes it exceptional for those whose income doesn't depend on local job markets.
Score breakdown
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🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Linn County's effective rate of 0.766% sits in the 63rd percentile nationally, slightly above the U.S. median of 0.64%. Despite this above-average rate, the median tax bill is just $899—less than a third the national median of $2,690—because local home values average only $117,300.
Slightly above Missouri average
Linn County ranks 18th among Missouri's 114 counties in effective tax rate, marginally above the state average of 0.733%. The median tax payment of $899 falls below Missouri's state median of $1,199.
Among the region's lower-value homes
Linn County homes average just $117,300, making them the least expensive in this eight-county cluster. Its 0.766% tax rate is higher than Madison County (0.735%) but lower than Marion County (0.868%).
A median home costs $899 yearly
With a median home value of $117,300, typical Linn County homeowners pay $899 annually in property taxes. That grows to $945 with a mortgage, or $860 without.
Assessment appeals can lower your bill
Many Missouri homeowners pay taxes on inflated assessments. A formal appeal costs nothing and can yield meaningful savings—especially valuable for Linn County homeowners looking to reduce their burden.
With a rent-to-income ratio of just 11.8%, Linn County renters spend the least of their income on housing compared to national norms. At $612 monthly, rents here are 20% below the state average, making it one of Missouri's most affordable rental markets.
Missouri's affordability champion
Linn County's 11.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best in Missouri, beating the state average of 15.6% by a significant margin. Despite a median income of $61,975—below state norms—the county's exceptionally low rents create genuine affordability.
Linn County rents lead the region
At $612 monthly, Linn County offers the lowest median rent among its peers, undercutting nearby Maries County ($594) and significantly beating Lincoln County ($972). This affordability advantage extends to homeownership, with median home values of $117,300—the lowest in this group.
Housing costs barely squeeze paychecks
Renters here pay $612 monthly while homeowners average $626, with median home values of $117,300. At 11.8% of median income, rent costs leave the most room in household budgets for other necessities and discretionary spending.
Budget-conscious? Linn County calls you
Linn County delivers the region's lowest housing costs combined with modest living expenses—ideal for remote workers, retirees, or anyone prioritizing affordability. If you're moving to Missouri on a fixed income, this county's 11.8% rent-to-income ratio is hard to beat.
Linn County's median household income of $61,975 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $12,780. The county ranks near the middle nationally, earning roughly at the 45th percentile.
Income above the Missouri average
At $61,975, Linn County's median household income exceeds the state average of $59,503 by $2,472. This places the county slightly ahead of typical Missouri households.
Linn County competes well locally
Linn County's $61,975 median income outpaces nearby Livingston County ($60,148) and Macon County ($58,318). Among its peer group, Linn ranks solidly in the middle tier.
Renters enjoy strong affordability
Linn County's 11.8% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the region, well below the 28-30% affordability standard. With a median home value of $117,300, the county also offers affordable homeownership pathways.
Build savings from solid local earnings
Linn County residents can leverage moderate, stable incomes to establish emergency funds and retirement accounts. Start by setting aside 10-15% of household income for savings and explore employer 401(k) matching programs.
Linn County's life expectancy trails national norm
At 75.0 years, Linn County residents live about 1.4 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 22.1% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds national benchmarks, indicating widespread chronic disease burden. These metrics suggest healthcare access and prevention programs need strengthening in Linn County.
Below average for Missouri health outcomes
Linn County's 75.0-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years—placing it in the lower half statewide. With 22.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county trails most Missouri peers on this critical measure. These trends point to cumulative disadvantage in chronic disease management and healthcare access.
Struggling among regional peers
Linn County's 75.0-year life expectancy ranks below neighboring Lincoln County (75.7 years) and Livingston County (76.1 years), with a 22.1% poor/fair health rate that exceeds most nearby counties. The county does offer stronger primary care access at 34 per 100K—triple Lincoln County's capacity—yet health outcomes remain comparatively weak. This gap suggests that supply alone doesn't guarantee care quality or population health.
Moderate insurance coverage, adequate primary care
Linn County's 11.3% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 12.5%, meaning most residents access care through employer or public programs. With 34 primary care providers per 100K, the county has reasonable physician availability—nearly 7 times Lincoln County's supply. Yet the 22.1% poor/fair health rate suggests barriers beyond access: income inequality, transportation challenges, or disease prevalence may limit healthcare effectiveness.
Affordable plans help close care gaps
More than 1 in 10 Linn County residents lack health insurance, which delays diagnosis and treatment of preventable conditions. Even with decent primary care supply, uninsured individuals skip doctor visits due to cost concerns, worsening outcomes. Explore your options at Healthcare.gov to find subsidized coverage that fits your budget.
With a composite risk score of 31.23, Linn County is significantly safer than the national average, placing it in the very low-risk category. This favorable profile reflects below-average exposure to most major hazard types across the county.
Well below Missouri's average risk
Linn County's score of 31.23 ranks it well below Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This lower risk profile gives residents a relative advantage when it comes to disaster preparedness and insurance needs.
Safer than surrounding counties
At 31.23, Linn County offers lower risk than Macon County (36.77) and significantly lower risk than Lincoln County (67.08) to the east. It remains among the safest areas in north-central Missouri, though tornado exposure remains a local consideration.
Tornadoes present the main threat
Tornado risk at 66.89 is Linn County's highest hazard, though still below the state average for that specific hazard. Flood risk at 39.03 and wildfire risk at 50.67 remain moderate, with earthquake exposure at just 40.90.
Focus on wind and flood protection
While Linn County's overall risk is low, tornado preparedness remains essential—ensure your home has a designated safe room and maintains wind-resistant features. A flood insurance policy is recommended given the county's proximity to waterways, though earthquake coverage is less critical here.