countyscore
53.4
County Score
Lawn Care 80.3Disaster Risk 77Soil Quality 74.6

County Report Card

About Livingston County, Missouri

Livingston County Slightly Above National Median

Livingston County earns a composite score of 52.7, placing it just above the national median of 50.0. This suggests a stable, slightly better-than-average quality of life compared to the rest of the country.

Exceeding the Missouri State Average

The county's 52.7 composite score outperforms the Missouri state average of 50.3. It maintains a competitive position in North Missouri by balancing affordability with moderate risk levels.

Low Environmental Risk and High Affordability

A high Risk Score of 77.0 indicates a very low threat from natural disasters, while a Cost Score of 71.8 reflects a manageable cost of living. Median gross rent sits at a modest $747 per month, providing accessibility for many families.

Education and Income Scores Need Attention

The county faces challenges in its School Score of 34.6 and Income Score of 39.4. With a median household income of $60,148, economic growth trails behind state leaders in higher-density areas.

A Secure Choice for Budget-Conscious Families

Livingston County is best suited for families looking for a safe haven from natural risks and affordable housing. It appeals to those who prioritize stability and low monthly expenses over proximity to elite educational institutions.

2040608010049.37152.949.234.644.77761.249.8Tax49.3Cost71Safety52.9Health49.2Schools34.6Income44.7Risk77Water61.2Weather49.853.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average1 below average

Livingston County DNA

Foverall

How Livingston County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Livingston County tracks close to the national average across most dimensions, with a slight edge in Disaster Risk (77/100) and room for improvement in Schools (34.6/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
49.3
Cost
71+23
Safety
52.9
Health
49.2
Schools
34.6-19.4
Income
44.7
Risk
77+30
Water
61.2
Weather
49.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Livingston County?

Many homeowners in Livingston County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$147,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$768/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$147,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,627/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

48.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Linn County
Missouri
62.1
Grundy County
Missouri
50.5
Caldwell County
Missouri
64.5
Carroll County
Missouri
57.8
Daviess County
Missouri
55.1
Chariton County
Missouri
63.5
Sullivan County
Missouri
63
Saline County
Missouri
43

Deep Dives

Livingston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Livingston County

via TaxByCounty

Livingston County: Highest tax rate here

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Livingston County

via IncomeByCounty

Livingston County lags national income

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Livingston County

via CrimeByCounty

Livingston County maintains high safety standards

The county reports a total crime rate of 1,062.3 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This translates to a strong safety score of 98.3, indicating a very secure environment.

Exceeding the Missouri state safety average

Livingston County's safety score of 98.3 outperforms the state average of 97.0. Local crime rates remain nearly 45% lower than the Missouri average of 1,926.2 per 100,000 people.

Lower crime than regional state benchmarks

Livingston County reports significantly fewer incidents than the average Missouri county, with only two agencies managing a very low case load. Its total crime rate of 1,062.3 provides a notable safety advantage for the local population.

Impressively low violent crime rates

The county records just 131.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime accounts for 930.4 incidents, making up the vast majority of local law enforcement activity.

Focus on property security at home

Because property crime is the most frequent incident type in the county, residents should focus on securing valuables and home entry points. Investing in a basic alarm system can help keep these already low numbers even lower.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Livingston County

via WeatherByCounty

Just Below the National Temperature Median

At 53.2°F, Livingston sits just below the national median temperature. It experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasonal shifts.

Cooler and Drier Than the State Average

The county is roughly 1.7 degrees cooler than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. Its 40.8 inches of annual rain is also lower than the state benchmark.

Consistent Regional Snow and Heat

Livingston's 35 extreme heat days are higher than Linn but comparable to Macon. Its 13.8 inches of snow matches Lafayette exactly, showing a stable regional pattern.

Cold Winters and Sunny Summers

The county sees 35 days of 90°F heat during a summer that averages 75.3°F. Winter brings a cold 29.6°F average and exactly 13.8 inches of snow.

Balance Your Energy Needs

Ensure gutters can handle 40 inches of rain and have salt ready for the winter snow. Proper insulation helps manage the 35 days of extreme summer heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Livingston County

via SoilByCounty

Favorable Acidity for Regional Farming

Livingston County maintains an average soil pH of 6.30, beating the state average of 6.09. This level is just below the national median of 6.5, making it highly suitable for most agricultural uses. Detailed taxonomic data is limited, but the overall soil score of 74.6 indicates high quality.

Silt-Dominated Soils with High Clay

The soil contains 59.3% silt and a substantial 27.0% clay, with a low sand percentage of 13.3%. This high-clay content means the soil is excellent at holding onto fertilizers and minerals. However, the lack of sand can lead to heavy, sticky conditions when the ground is wet.

Robust Organic Matter Supports Growth

The county features a strong organic matter content of 3.18%, well above the national 2.0% average. Available water capacity is also high at 0.201 in/in, compared to the state average of 0.183 in/in. These metrics ensure that crops have access to both food and water throughout the summer.

Saturated Subaqueous Drainage Profiles

Livingston's dominant drainage class is subaqueous, which often signifies areas with poor natural drainage. Specific hydrologic group data is not currently recorded for the primary soil types. Producers should be mindful of water table heights when planning building foundations or field drainage.

Versatile Growing in Zone 6a

The 6a hardiness zone allows for a variety of cool-season crops and hardy perennials. With its high water capacity, this soil is perfect for moisture-loving plants like squash and leafy greens. Your local garden can flourish given the high nutrient retention of these Missouri soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Livingston County

via LawnByCounty

Lush Lawns in Livingston

Livingston County boasts a strong lawn difficulty score of 80.3, indicating that growing turf is much easier here than the national median of 50.0. The Hardiness Zone 6a climate supports a variety of cool-season grasses with minimal effort.

Consistent Rain and Moderate Heat

Annual precipitation averages 40.8 inches, sitting comfortably in the ideal 30-50 inch window for healthy turf. With 35 extreme heat days, the county stays slightly cooler than the state average, helping grass survive the summer peak.

Neutral pH Foundations

A balanced pH of 6.30 ensures that fertilizers work effectively without the need for heavy lime applications. While 27.0% clay provides good nutrient retention, the soil may require grading in areas where drainage is restricted.

Ample Current Soil Moisture

Excellent current conditions show 0.0% of the area in drought, and the county has seen only 6 weeks of dry conditions in the past year. This consistent moisture allows for a more relaxed watering schedule than many other parts of the state.

Start Growing in April

The window between April 15 and October 21 is the prime time for seeding and sodding in Livingston County. Cool-season blends are the standard choice to capitalize on the 3,769 available growing degree days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Livingston County's county score?
Livingston County, Missouri has a composite county score of 53.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Livingston County rank among counties in Missouri?
Livingston County ranks #51 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Livingston County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Livingston County is $1,202, with an effective tax rate of 0.81%. This earns Livingston County a tax score of 49.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Livingston County?
The median household income in Livingston County, Missouri is $63,627 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Livingston County earns an income score of 44.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Livingston County, Missouri a good place to live?
Livingston County scores 53.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #51 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Livingston County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Livingston County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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