Livingston County's composite score of 73.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating real livability advantages. The county ranks comfortably in the upper tier of American counties on measured criteria.
2 / 5
Right at Missouri's middle tier
Livingston County scores 73.9, just shy of Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it among competent but not exceptional performers statewide. The county reflects typical Missouri livability without standout advantages.
3 / 5
Affordable living throughout the county
Livingston County's cost score of 84.3 reflects strong housing affordability, with median home values at $138,300 and monthly rent at $747. The tax score of 77.0 with an effective rate of 0.899% further supports budget-conscious households.
4 / 5
Income growth potential unclear
The income score of 22.7 and median household income of $60,148 suggest limited wage opportunities for ambitious earners. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a complete livability assessment.
5 / 5
Fits retirees and fixed-income families
Livingston County works well for retirees and families living on fixed incomes who need affordable housing and reasonable taxes. It's less appealing for those seeking career advancement or wage growth in their current location.
Livingston County's composite score of 73.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating real livability advantages. The county ranks comfortably in the upper tier of American counties on measured criteria.
Right at Missouri's middle tier
Livingston County scores 73.9, just shy of Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it among competent but not exceptional performers statewide. The county reflects typical Missouri livability without standout advantages.
Affordable living throughout the county
Livingston County's cost score of 84.3 reflects strong housing affordability, with median home values at $138,300 and monthly rent at $747. The tax score of 77.0 with an effective rate of 0.899% further supports budget-conscious households.
Income growth potential unclear
The income score of 22.7 and median household income of $60,148 suggest limited wage opportunities for ambitious earners. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a complete livability assessment.
Fits retirees and fixed-income families
Livingston County works well for retirees and families living on fixed incomes who need affordable housing and reasonable taxes. It's less appealing for those seeking career advancement or wage growth in their current location.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.899%, Livingston County has the highest effective property tax rate among these eight counties and sits in the 75th percentile nationally. The median annual bill of $1,243 remains far below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.
Among Missouri's highest rates
Livingston County ranks 6th among Missouri's 114 counties for effective tax rate, well above the state average of 0.733%. Its median tax of $1,243 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by a notable margin.
Steepest rate in the eight-county region
Livingston's 0.899% rate significantly exceeds all peers in this analysis, including Marion County (0.868%) and Lincoln County (0.77%). Homeowners here carry the region's heaviest tax burden relative to property value.
A median home costs $1,243 yearly
A typical Livingston County home valued at $138,300 generates $1,243 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,115; those without pay $1,362.
High rates make appeals especially valuable
With the region's steepest tax rate, Livingston County homeowners have the most to gain from assessment appeals. Challenging an overvalued assessment could yield significant annual savings.
Livingston County hovers near national affordability
At 14.9%, Livingston County's rent-to-income ratio sits close to—but slightly above—national benchmarks, indicating moderate housing affordability for renters. The county's median rent of $747 falls between state and national norms, paired with a median income of $60,148.
Middle of the Missouri pack
Livingston County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks near the state average of 15.6%, positioning it as a moderate-affordability county in Missouri. Its $747 median monthly rent is just slightly below the state average, reflecting fairly typical housing cost dynamics.
Rents reasonable for the region
Livingston County's $747 rent falls between Linn County's bargain basement ($612) and Lincoln County's premium ($972), marking it as solidly middle-ground. Median home values of $138,300 similarly position the county between regional extremes, offering balanced options for both renters and buyers.
14.9% of income goes to rent
Livingston County renters spend $747 monthly on housing while homeowners pay $707, with median home values of $138,300. At 14.9% of income, rent costs remain manageable, though less generous than in neighboring Linn County.
Livingston offers balanced living costs
If you're seeking a middle path—not the absolute cheapest but still reasonably affordable—Livingston County provides solid value. Compare your projected income and lifestyle against these moderate housing costs to determine your fit in this balanced market.
At $60,148, Livingston County's median household income falls $14,607 below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lower-middle nationally, at approximately the 40th percentile.
Slightly under Missouri's median
Livingston County's $60,148 median household income underperforms the state average of $59,503 by just $645. The county sits nearly at the state median, reflecting typical Missouri earnings.
Competitive with surrounding counties
Livingston County's $60,148 income matches closely with Macon County ($58,318) and Linn County ($61,975). The county holds its own within this peer cluster.
Housing costs strain some households
Livingston County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio is slightly elevated, though still manageable for most renters. A median home value of $138,300 requires careful household budgeting for first-time homebuyers.
Start small, build consistency
Livingston County residents benefit from focusing on debt reduction and establishing modest savings habits. Even $50-100 monthly contributions to savings accounts compound significantly over time.
At 76.1 years, Livingston County residents outlive the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a narrow margin, placing the county among America's healthier communities. Just 17.8% report poor or fair health, significantly below national rates of around 18%, signaling strong disease prevention. These metrics reflect sustained investment in both primary care and mental health infrastructure.
Missouri's health champion county
Livingston County's 76.1-year life expectancy ranks 1.8 years above Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, making it one of the state's top-performing counties. The 17.8% poor/fair health rate outpaces most state peers, indicating effective chronic disease management. Livingston County demonstrates that rural or mid-sized counties can achieve urban-level health outcomes with strategic care coordination.
Clear health advantage over neighboring counties
Livingston County's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds Lincoln County (75.7 years), Linn County (75.0 years), and Maries County (74.3 years). At 17.8% poor/fair health, the county ranks better than all neighbors except Lincoln County's 17.3%. The county's strength stems from robust primary care (75 per 100K) and strong mental health provider density (96 per 100K), the highest in the regional cluster.
Full coverage and strong provider networks
Livingston County's 12.5% uninsured rate exactly matches the state average, indicating solid insurance penetration across income levels. With 75 primary care providers per 100K—exceeding national guidelines—residents enjoy genuine access to preventive and routine care. Mental health providers (96 per 100K) are also well-distributed, supporting integrated behavioral health across the community.
Secure coverage to maintain health gains
While Livingston County boasts strong health metrics, about 1 in 8 residents remain uninsured—a vulnerability that erodes gains across the entire population. Maintain your coverage or explore new plans during open enrollment at Healthcare.gov. With excellent provider networks in place, coverage unlocks the full benefit of the county's healthcare infrastructure.
With the state's lowest composite risk score of 23.03, Livingston County ranks among America's safest counties from natural disaster exposure. This very low rating reflects below-average hazard exposure across earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires.
Missouri's safest county for disasters
Livingston County's score of 23.03 is the lowest among all Missouri counties, well below the state average of 50.56. Residents here enjoy significantly lower natural disaster risk than nearly every other county in the state.
The safest spot in the region
Livingston County at 23.03 is substantially safer than Linn County (31.23), Macon County (36.77), and all other surrounding counties. This makes it the lowest-risk area in north-central Missouri by a considerable margin.
Tornado risk remains the primary hazard
Even in this low-risk county, tornadoes register at 64.89, the highest local hazard—though still manageable with standard preparedness. Flood risk at 26.43 and wildfire risk at 38.23 are both minimal, with zero hurricane exposure reported.
Basic tornado safety is sufficient
Livingston County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and a tornado safety plan—the county's low overall risk means specialized hazard coverage is less critical than in neighboring areas. Focus on ensuring your home has access to a safe room or basement during severe weather season.