countyscore
44.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 89.6Health 78.7Lawn Care 71.3

County Report Card

About Miami County, Kansas

Miami County Trails the National Median

Miami County carries a composite score of 44.4, which is lower than the national median of 50.0. This ranking is primarily due to high housing costs and infrastructure challenges that outweigh its economic strengths. It represents a more expensive segment of the American landscape.

Trailing Behind the Kansas Average

At 44.4, Miami County sits below the state average of 49.5. While it leads the state in certain economic categories, the high cost of living pulls its overall ranking down compared to more affordable peers. It faces unique challenges as it balances growth with affordability.

Exceptional Income and Health Stats

Miami County is an economic powerhouse with an income score of 90.8 and a median household income of $88,000. It also provides excellent health outcomes, scoring 78.7 in the health dimension. These metrics suggest a highly prosperous and physically healthy population.

Steep Housing Costs and School Rankings

Housing affordability is a major hurdle, with a cost score of 15.4 and median home values reaching $277,700. The school score of 41.3 and water score of 25.1 also suggest areas where public investment is needed. High taxes further impact the overall livability for budget-conscious residents.

A Destination for Wealthy Professionals

This county is best suited for high-earning professionals who can navigate its high housing costs and tax rates. The trade-off for expensive living is access to one of the most prosperous and healthy communities in Kansas. It is the premier choice for those prioritizing income and personal health over low costs.

2040608010020.61852.778.741.389.65725.153.3Tax20.6Cost18Safety52.7Health78.7Schools41.3Income89.6Risk57Water25.1Weather53.344.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Miami County DNA

Foverall

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

Miami County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (89.6/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (25.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.6-31.4
Cost
18-30
Safety
52.7
Health
78.7+28.700000000000003
Schools
41.3-12.700000000000003
Income
89.6+38.599999999999994
Risk
57+10
Water
25.1-32.9
Weather
53.3
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Miami County

Whether buying or refinancing in Miami County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$287,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,107/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$287,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,000/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

2.9

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
Compare Miami County with Baxter County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
Median income: $48,452
44.3
Kent County
Delaware
Median income: $74,477
44.3
Calcasieu Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $67,564
44.3
Union County
Oregon
Median income: $65,661
44.3
Berks County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $79,777
44.3
Eastland County
Texas
Median income: $53,549
44.3
Jackson County
Texas
Median income: $65,414
44.3
Box Elder County
Utah
Median income: $84,550
44.3

Nearby counties

Johnson County
Kansas
41.8
Linn County
Kansas
55.8
Franklin County
Kansas
39.8
Cass County
Missouri
33
Bates County
Missouri
44.6
Anderson County
Kansas
54.6
Douglas County
Kansas
33.5
Wyandotte County
Kansas
37

Deep Dives

Miami County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Miami County

via TaxByCounty

Miami taxes below national rate

Miami County's effective tax rate of 1.226% falls well below the national median of 1.29%, making it a tax bargain nationally. The median property tax of $3,406 exceeds the national median of $2,690 because Miami homes are valued much higher—reflecting proximity to the Kansas City metro.

Lowest rate among all Kansas counties

Miami's 1.226% effective rate is one of the lowest in Kansas, significantly below the state average of 1.549%. Despite a low rate, the median tax of $3,406 substantially exceeds the state median of $1,943 due to Miami's higher home values near the metro area.

Lowest rate, highest home values

Miami's 1.226% rate beats nearby Marshall (1.280%), Morris (1.547%), and all other regional neighbors, but its median home value of $277,700 is far higher. The result: Miami has the lowest rate but one of the highest actual tax bills in the region.

What Miami homeowners actually pay

The median Miami home valued at $277,700 generates approximately $3,406 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $3,498; without one, closer to $3,248.

You may be overassessed

Miami County's higher-value homes can sometimes be assessed above market rates, especially in fast-changing neighborhoods near Kansas City. Homeowners should compare their assessments to recent comparable sales and file appeals if valuations appear inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Miami County

via IncomeByCounty

Miami County leads Kansas in household earnings

Miami County's median household income of $88,000 substantially exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 18%, making it one of Kansas's wealthiest counties by this measure. This significant advantage reflects Miami's proximity to metropolitan areas and its strong employment base relative to rural Kansas peers.

Kansas's elite earners concentrate here

Miami County ranks at the top of Kansas counties with a $88,000 median household income, surpassing the state average of $64,428 by nearly $24,000. This exceptional advantage positions Miami County as the economic leader among Kansas communities, with households earning substantially more than typical Kansans.

Miami dominates regional income hierarchy

Miami County's $88,000 income substantially exceeds all comparison counties, outpacing McPherson County ($77,701) by over $10,000 and Marshall County ($70,828) by more than $17,000. This commanding lead reflects Miami County's unique economic advantages and attraction as a higher-income enclave within Kansas.

Higher income supports premium housing costs

Miami County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio sits above the national threshold, reflecting a median home value of $277,700—substantially higher than all neighboring counties. However, the county's above-national-average income of $88,000 provides sufficient purchasing power to support both premium housing and robust wealth accumulation.

Miami County families build substantial wealth

With median household income at $88,000, Miami County residents rank among Kansas's highest earners and can pursue sophisticated wealth strategies: maxing retirement contributions, building real estate portfolios, and diversifying investments across equities and alternatives. The county's strong income base supports $15,000–$25,000 annual wealth-building capacity even after supporting premium housing costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Miami County

via CrimeByCounty

Miami County: Safer Than the Average

Miami County features a total crime rate of 1,063.8 per 100,000, well below the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 98.3 reflects a very secure environment compared to the rest of the country. It is a preferred destination for safety-conscious families.

Above the Kansas Safety Standard

The county sits above the Kansas state average safety score of 98.0. Four local agencies report crime data that is consistently lower than the state total average of 1,282.2 per 100,000. This data confirms Miami County's role as a regional safety leader.

Regional Comparisons Favor Miami County

Miami County is significantly safer than Montgomery County, which has nearly triple the total crime rate. It shares similar safety profiles with other high-performing rural and suburban Kansas counties. Residents benefit from a consistently low crime landscape.

Low Risk for Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime accounts for only 201.1 incidents per 100,000 people, much lower than the national figure of 369.8. Property crime also remains low at 862.7, which means residents are much less likely to experience theft here. Total crime is less than half the national average.

Proactive Protection in Miami County

Property crime is the primary concern for most homeowners, so visible security cameras can be a great deterrent. Staying informed about local trends helps keep Miami County’s safety score in the top tier. Simple home habits contribute to a more secure community for everyone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Miami County

via WeatherByCounty

A Moist and Temperate Eastern Region

Miami County's 54.9°F average temperature sits right at the national median. However, its 40.1 inches of annual rain makes it much wetter than most of the country.

Exceeding the State Precipitation Average

Miami is one of Kansas's wettest counties, receiving 40.1 inches of rain compared to the 30.3-inch state average. Its temperature of 54.9°F perfectly matches the statewide mean.

Wetter and Milder than Northern Counties

With only 8.4 inches of snow, Miami has much easier winters than Marshall County's 15.8 inches. It also receives nearly 13 more inches of rain than Mitchell County.

Rainy Summers and Light Winters

The county experiences only 40 days above 90°F, one of the lower counts in the region. Winters are relatively dry regarding snow, with only 8.4 inches falling annually.

Focus on Moisture and Humidity Control

Effective gutter systems and basement waterproofing are essential for the 40.1-inch annual rainfall. Summer gear should focus on humidity management rather than just extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Miami County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Miami County

Soil pH in Miami County averages 6.22, falling below both the state average of 6.80 and the national median. While slightly acidic, this range is excellent for many berries and hardwoods that struggle in more alkaline soils.

Fine-Grained and Silty Content

The soil is remarkably fine, consisting of 60.3% silt and 27.4% clay, with a minimal 11.2% sand fraction. This high-silt profile creates a smooth, floury texture that is highly fertile but susceptible to erosion if left uncovered.

Impressive Organic Reserves

Organic matter content is high at 2.98%, well above the Kansas average of 2.22%. The available water capacity of 0.187 in/in ensures that the soil can hold significant moisture for crops during the peak of summer.

Monitoring Slow Water Release

While specific hydrologic data is not available, the low sand percentage indicates that this soil holds water very effectively. Gardeners should ensure proper site grading to avoid long periods of standing water in the heavy silt-clay mix.

Rich Gardening in Zone 6b

With a strong soil score of 66.0, Miami County offers great potential for diverse agriculture. This Zone 6b region is particularly well-suited for lush vegetable gardens and ornamental landscaping that thrives in organic-rich ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Miami County

via LawnByCounty

Kansas's Premier Lawn Growing Environment

Miami County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 71.3, the highest in this group and well above the state average of 59.1. Its position in Zone 6b combined with favorable weather makes it an ideal location for lush, healthy turf. Homeowners here find lawn maintenance significantly easier than the national average of 50.0.

Abundant Rain and Fewer Heat Waves

The county receives a generous 40.1 inches of annual precipitation, comfortably hitting the sweet spot for lawn health. Miami County also experiences only 40 extreme heat days per year, nearly 20 days fewer than the Kansas average. This combination of high moisture and moderate heat creates a long, productive growing season.

Nutrient-Rich Soil with Heavy Clay

The soil pH of 6.22 is nearly perfect for turfgrass, ensuring that fertilizers and natural nutrients are easily absorbed. While the 27.4% clay content helps retain that 40.1 inches of rain, the low 11.2% sand content means the soil can become heavy and slow to drain. Regular aeration is recommended to ensure oxygen reaches the root zones.

Managing Occasional Dry Periods

Despite having 18 weeks in drought over the last year, 39.1% of the county currently remains abnormally dry. The high annual rainfall usually compensates for these spells, but supplemental watering may be needed during the peak of summer. Using mulch in garden beds helps preserve the moisture provided by the county's frequent rains.

Prime Timing for Lush Lawns

Zoysia and Tall Fescue perform exceptionally well in Miami County's climate and soil. You can start your lawn journey early after the April 13 spring frost, or take advantage of the long fall season starting in late October. With such high scores, your biggest task will likely be keeping up with the vigorous mowing schedule.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Miami County's county score?
Miami County, Kansas has a composite county score of 44.3 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 Miami County rank among counties in Kansas?
Miami County ranks #72 among all counties in Kansas 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 Miami County, Kansas?
The median annual property tax in Miami County is $3,643, with an effective tax rate of 1.27%. This earns Miami County a tax score of 20.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Miami County?
The median household income in Miami County, Kansas is $89,000 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Miami County earns an income score of 89.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Miami County, Kansas a good place to live?
Miami County scores 44.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #72 in Kansas. The best way to evaluate Miami 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 Miami 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.