Lyon County scores 63.7, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by nearly 14 points. This above-median performance reflects a county offering reasonable livability, though several dimensions lag national and state peers.
2 / 5
Slightly below Kansas average
Lyon's composite score of 63.7 falls just short of Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of Kansas counties. The gap reflects below-average performance in cost and tax dimensions relative to state norms.
3 / 5
Moderate housing costs prevail
Lyon's cost score of 79.0 reflects median home values of $142,200 and median rent of $796/month, offering solid affordability for rural Kansas. The tax score of 57.3 with an effective rate of 1.598% provides moderate relief on household finances.
4 / 5
Income opportunity is constrained
Lyon's income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,078 signals limited earning potential and economic opportunity. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality prevent a fuller livability picture.
5 / 5
Fits modest-income rural seekers
Lyon County suits people seeking rural living at reasonable cost with modest local income expectations—retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordable housing over job market strength. It's less attractive for those dependent on robust local employment.
Lyon County scores 63.7, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by nearly 14 points. This above-median performance reflects a county offering reasonable livability, though several dimensions lag national and state peers.
Slightly below Kansas average
Lyon's composite score of 63.7 falls just short of Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of Kansas counties. The gap reflects below-average performance in cost and tax dimensions relative to state norms.
Moderate housing costs prevail
Lyon's cost score of 79.0 reflects median home values of $142,200 and median rent of $796/month, offering solid affordability for rural Kansas. The tax score of 57.3 with an effective rate of 1.598% provides moderate relief on household finances.
Income opportunity is constrained
Lyon's income score of 22.0 with median household income of $59,078 signals limited earning potential and economic opportunity. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality prevent a fuller livability picture.
Fits modest-income rural seekers
Lyon County suits people seeking rural living at reasonable cost with modest local income expectations—retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordable housing over job market strength. It's less attractive for those dependent on robust local employment.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛57.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.598%, Lyon County's effective property tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.409%, placing the county in the upper half nationally. The median tax bill of $2,272 remains below the national median of $2,690, thanks to more modest median home values of $142,200.
Lyon ranks high among Kansas counties
Lyon's 1.598% effective rate exceeds Kansas's statewide average of 1.549%, making it one of the state's higher-taxed counties. The median tax of $2,272 significantly outpaces the state median of $1,943 by $329 annually.
Lyon taxes above most regional peers
Lyon's 1.598% rate ranks second-highest among the eight counties examined, exceeded only by Logan County (1.816%). The county's tax burden runs substantially above Linn (1.094%), Kiowa (1.159%), and Leavenworth (1.203%).
Your property tax on median home value
A home valued at $142,200 in Lyon County carries an estimated annual property tax of $2,272. With mortgage escrow, your annual tax obligation reaches approximately $2,363.
Appeal your assessment to save significantly
Lyon County homeowners facing above-average tax rates should carefully review their property assessments for potential overvaluation. Filing an appeal with the county appraiser is free and could reduce your annual tax burden substantially.
Lyon County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% exceeds the national average, with renters dedicating a larger share of earnings to housing than typical Americans. At $796 monthly rent against $59,078 median household income, Lyon's lower wages relative to housing costs create affordability pressure.
Lyon carries above-average burden
Lyon County ranks among Kansas's higher-burden counties with a 16.2% rent-to-income ratio, exceeding the state average of 14.7% by 1.5 points. Monthly rent of $796 matches the state median, but Lyon's lower household income of $59,078 makes housing costs bite harder.
Lyon rents compete regionally
Lyon's $796 rent ties Logan County exactly and runs $68 above the state median, while median home value of $142,200 falls between Lane ($119,000) and Linn ($164,500). Despite competitive pricing, Lyon's lower incomes mean residents feel housing costs more acutely.
Homeownership strains in Lyon
Renters pay $796 monthly while homeowners average $998, reflecting Lyon's median home value of $142,200—higher relative to household incomes than neighboring counties. At 16.2% of income spent on rent, Lyon residents carry one of the region's tighter housing burdens.
Lyon: consider income carefully
Lyon County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio demands careful evaluation—housing costs consume more of paychecks than in neighboring counties with similar rents but better incomes. If relocating to Lyon, prioritize securing a strong local income or remote work to offset the 16.2% housing burden.
Lyon County's median household income of $59,078 falls $15,677 short of the national median of $74,755—a 21% deficit. This gap reflects economic challenges relative to the broader U.S. economy.
Below Kansas state median
Lyon County ranks below Kansas's state median of $64,428 by approximately $5,350. Its per capita income of $29,881 trails the state average of $34,748 by 14%.
Lower-income county in sample
Lyon's $59,078 median household income ranks among the lower earners in this group, comparable to Linn ($59,200) and below Kiowa ($73,214) and Leavenworth ($86,906). It faces tougher economic conditions than several neighbors.
Housing costs strain household finances
Lyon's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2%—the highest in this sample—signals affordability stress approaching critical thresholds. The median home value of $142,200 is substantial relative to median household earnings.
Prioritize emergency savings first
Lyon County households should focus on building emergency reserves before aggressive investing, given tight budgets and higher housing costs. Automated, modest savings contributions provide a foundation for future wealth building.
Lyon County's 76.9-year life expectancy closely matches the U.S. average of 78.9 years, though trailing by 2 years. However, 18.5% report poor or fair health—the highest in this eight-county group—suggesting underlying health challenges despite solid longevity.
Health outcomes mixed amid coverage challenges
Lyon County's 76.9-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Kansas's 75.4-year average, but the 13.4% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 11.5%. The county's high poor/fair health rate of 18.5% indicates concentrated health struggles.
Highest uninsured rate in comparison group
Lyon County's 13.4% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties, exceeding even Lane County's 12.6%. Despite this coverage challenge, the county boasts 392 mental health providers per 100K—the most robust mental health infrastructure in the entire group.
Coverage gaps amid strong mental health access
With 13.4% uninsured, Lyon County residents face barriers to routine care despite having 59 primary care providers per 100K. The outstanding 392 mental health providers per 100K cannot fully compensate for those lacking insurance coverage for basic medical needs.
Close Lyon's coverage gap immediately
Lyon County's 13.4% uninsured rate—highest in this group—demands urgent enrollment outreach through Healthcare.gov and local health departments. Insurance access unlocks the county's excellent mental health services while enabling preventive primary care that could reduce the county's elevated poor/fair health rate.
Lyon County's composite risk score of 47.65 places it in the Relatively Low category but exceeds the national average, indicating above-average exposure to multiple hazards. The county experiences more natural disaster threats than most American counties.
Above-average risk for Kansas
Lyon's score of 47.65 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the upper tier of Kansas counties by hazard exposure. The county warrants comprehensive disaster preparedness planning.
Riskier than most western neighbors
Lyon's risk score substantially exceeds neighboring Lincoln County (13.52) and Logan County (7.38), though matches Labette County (66.19) and Leavenworth County (66.35) in eastern regions. Lyon emerges as a central Kansas hazard concentration zone.
Wildfire, tornado, and flood threats
Wildfire risk dominates Lyon County at 88.26, the second-highest in Kansas, paired with substantial tornado risk of 69.66 and flood risk of 49.30. This combination makes Lyon one of Kansas's most multi-hazard-exposed counties.
Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage
Lyon County residents must prioritize wildfire insurance, either through a rider or comprehensive policy, given the county's exceptionally high wildfire risk. Additionally, obtain flood coverage as a separate policy and verify tornado/wind damage protection in your homeowners insurance.