Maries County's composite score of 79.2 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the nation's best-performing counties. This county demonstrates clear and measurable livability advantages.
2 / 5
Missouri's standout performer
At 79.2, Maries County scores 4.4 points above Missouri's state average of 74.8, standing out among all state counties. The county represents one of Missouri's strongest livability profiles.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and great affordability
Maries County dominates with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.563% and the highest tax score of 86.4. Combined with a cost score of 87.7, median homes at $193,100, and rent at just $594/month, Maries delivers exceptional value.
4 / 5
Income growth options limited
The income score of 23.4 with median household income of $61,359 suggests modest wage opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are not yet available for complete assessment.
5 / 5
Top choice for frugal families
Maries County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal tax burden above all else. It's especially suited for those with independent, location-flexible income sources.
Maries County's composite score of 79.2 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the nation's best-performing counties. This county demonstrates clear and measurable livability advantages.
Missouri's standout performer
At 79.2, Maries County scores 4.4 points above Missouri's state average of 74.8, standing out among all state counties. The county represents one of Missouri's strongest livability profiles.
Lowest taxes and great affordability
Maries County dominates with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.563% and the highest tax score of 86.4. Combined with a cost score of 87.7, median homes at $193,100, and rent at just $594/month, Maries delivers exceptional value.
Income growth options limited
The income score of 23.4 with median household income of $61,359 suggests modest wage opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are not yet available for complete assessment.
Top choice for frugal families
Maries County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal tax burden above all else. It's especially suited for those with independent, location-flexible income sources.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Maries County's effective rate of 0.563% ranks in the 25th percentile nationally, well below the U.S. median of 0.64%. The median tax of $1,088 falls short of the national median of $2,690, though homes here average a healthy $193,100—the highest in this eight-county group.
Well below Missouri average
Maries County ranks 107th among Missouri's 114 counties in effective tax rate, among the state's lowest. Its median tax of $1,088 falls below Missouri's state median of $1,199.
Second-best rate in the region
Only McDonald County (0.539%) undercuts Maries County's 0.563% rate in this eight-county cluster. Homeowners here enjoy a significant tax advantage compared to higher-rate peers like Livingston County (0.899%) and Macon County (0.826%).
A median home costs $1,088 yearly
Although Maries County has the region's highest median home value at $193,100, the low tax rate yields a median bill of just $1,088 annually. With a mortgage, owners pay $1,142; without, they pay $1,034.
Low rates don't eliminate appeal value
Maries County's favorable tax rate is a plus, but assessment appeals remain valuable. If your home was recently reassessed higher than comparable properties, an appeal could still deliver savings.
At 11.6%, Maries County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, allowing renters to keep the largest share of income for other needs. With median monthly rents of just $594, the county undercuts national rental markets by a substantial margin.
Missouri's most affordable rental market
Maries County's $594 median rent is the lowest in this eight-county group and sits 23% below Missouri's state average of $768. Its 11.6% rent-to-income ratio ties with Linn County for the best affordability rate in the region.
Maries leads affordability across the board
Maries County's $594 rent beats every peer in this comparison, while its median home values of $193,100 offer surprisingly strong homeownership value. This combination—rock-bottom rents paired with reasonable home prices—creates unique advantages for both renters and buyers.
Just 11.6% of income on rent
Renters here spend $594 monthly while homeowners pay $673, with median home values of $193,100—an excellent price-to-value ratio. At 11.6% of income, rent costs rank among the lowest regionally, leaving substantial room in household budgets.
Maries County: unbeatable rental value
If you're moving to Missouri on a tight budget, Maries County offers the region's lowest rents without sacrificing homeownership opportunities. Its 11.6% rent-to-income ratio makes it an exceptional choice for renters and first-time homebuyers alike.
At $61,359, Maries County's median household income falls $13,396 short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks near the bottom nationally, around the 42nd percentile.
Slightly above Missouri state average
Maries County's $61,359 median household income exceeds the state average of $59,503 by $1,856. The county performs slightly better than typical Missouri households.
Solid middle ground among peers
Maries County's $61,359 median income sits between Linn County ($61,975) and Livingston County ($60,148). The county holds competitive standing within its regional peer group.
Excellent housing cost position
Maries County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this cohort at 11.6%, indicating exceptional rental affordability. With a median home value of $193,100, homeownership remains achievable for most households.
Low housing costs enable savings
With housing consuming less than 12% of income, Maries County residents have ample opportunity to fund retirement accounts and investment portfolios. Consider maximizing IRA contributions and exploring tax-advantaged savings vehicles.
At 74.3 years, Maries County residents live 2.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, indicating chronic health challenges. With 22.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds national benchmarks, reflecting high disease burden and preventive care gaps. These metrics place Maries County firmly in America's health-challenged communities.
Exactly at Missouri's state average
Maries County's 74.3-year life expectancy matches Missouri's state average exactly, placing it in the middle statewide—neither a leader nor an outlier. However, the 22.0% poor/fair health rate exceeds state averages, suggesting residents live longer but with greater disease burden. This pattern indicates survival despite chronic conditions rather than robust health and prevention.
Lower performance than most regional peers
Maries County's 74.3-year life expectancy falls below neighboring Lincoln County (75.7 years) and Livingston County (76.1 years), with a 22.0% poor/fair health rate that exceeds all nearby counties except Linn (22.1%) and McDonald (25.4%). Primary care data is limited (N/A reported), suggesting supply challenges that impede routine physician access. The 36 mental health providers per 100K fall short of regional standards, indicating sparse behavioral health support.
Highest uninsured rate in the cluster
Maries County's 13.1% uninsured rate ranks above Missouri's state average of 12.5%, representing structural gaps in coverage pathways. Primary care provider data is unavailable, suggesting limited physician supply that creates true access barriers beyond insurance gaps. Residents likely travel significant distances for routine preventive care, delaying diagnoses and worsening health trajectories.
Coverage is your entry to care
More than 1 in 8 Maries County residents lack health insurance—a higher rate than most peers—closing off preventive services that could extend life and reduce disease burden. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment to compare plans; many offer free preventive care even before deductibles apply. Coverage won't solve all access barriers, but it's the essential first step.
With a composite risk score of 20.83, Maries County is among the nation's safest counties from natural disaster exposure. This very low rating reflects minimal hazard exposure across all major disaster types.
Second-safest county in Missouri
Maries County's score of 20.83 ranks second-lowest in Missouri after Livingston County (23.03), placing it in the state's safest tier. The county sits well below Missouri's average of 50.56 across all hazard categories.
Safest in the central region
Maries County at 20.83 offers the lowest risk in central Missouri, below nearby Marion County (47.87), Macon County (36.77), and Linn County (31.23). Only Livingston County to the northeast provides comparable safety.
Earthquake and tornado exposure moderate
Earthquake risk at 51.46 and tornado risk at 43.86 are Maries County's highest hazards, both well below state averages. Flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks are all minimal, making this one of Missouri's most hazard-resilient counties.
Basic insurance with tornado awareness
Maries County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without purchasing specialized earthquake or flood coverage given the county's low exposure. Maintain basic tornado safety awareness and a weather alert system during severe weather season.