Miller's composite score of 67.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 34% of U.S. counties. The county offers a competitive profile on tax burden and housing costs despite modest income levels.
2 / 5
Slightly below Arkansas average but functional
Miller scores 67.3, trailing Arkansas's state average of 70.3 by nearly 3 points, and ranks fifth among these eight peer counties. It remains a viable option for those seeking rural living at reasonable cost.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and affordable housing available
Miller offers a tax score of 84.9/100 with an effective rate of 0.618% and cost score of 82.7/100, with median rent at $882/month and median home value of $148,200. Health outcomes at 58.8/100 provide basic primary care access.
4 / 5
Low incomes and concerning risk profile
Income score of 16.0/100 reflects a median household income of just $49,983, constraining economic opportunity and family financial security. Risk score of 29.2/100 is notably concerning, suggesting significant environmental or demographic vulnerabilities beyond typical rural challenges.
5 / 5
For budget seekers willing to accept tradeoffs
Miller County suits extremely cost-conscious individuals and retirees who can overlook moderate risk factors in exchange for low housing and tax burdens. It's best for those with supplemental income sources or no dependents to support.
Miller's composite score of 67.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 34% of U.S. counties. The county offers a competitive profile on tax burden and housing costs despite modest income levels.
Slightly below Arkansas average but functional
Miller scores 67.3, trailing Arkansas's state average of 70.3 by nearly 3 points, and ranks fifth among these eight peer counties. It remains a viable option for those seeking rural living at reasonable cost.
Tax efficiency and affordable housing available
Miller offers a tax score of 84.9/100 with an effective rate of 0.618% and cost score of 82.7/100, with median rent at $882/month and median home value of $148,200. Health outcomes at 58.8/100 provide basic primary care access.
Low incomes and concerning risk profile
Income score of 16.0/100 reflects a median household income of just $49,983, constraining economic opportunity and family financial security. Risk score of 29.2/100 is notably concerning, suggesting significant environmental or demographic vulnerabilities beyond typical rural challenges.
For budget seekers willing to accept tradeoffs
Miller County suits extremely cost-conscious individuals and retirees who can overlook moderate risk factors in exchange for low housing and tax burdens. It's best for those with supplemental income sources or no dependents to support.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Miller County's 0.618% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.90%, ranking it in the lower two-thirds of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $916 annually is one-third the national median of $2,690.
Miller ranks above Arkansas state average
Miller County's 0.618% effective rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, placing it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. Homeowners pay a median of $916 in property taxes versus $705 statewide—a 30% premium.
Second-highest rate among regional counties
Miller County's 0.618% rate is exceeded only by Lonoke County (0.640%) in the region; it substantially exceeds Madison (0.445%), Little River (0.484%), and Monroe County (0.493%). The county's effective rate is notably steeper than most neighbors.
Median tax bill reaches $916 annually
With a median home value of $148,200, Miller County homeowners pay approximately $916 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage-related escrow, that figure rises to $1,222 for mortgaged properties.
Appeal process could lower your tax burden
Given Miller County's higher-than-average rates, it's especially important to verify your property's assessed value—many homeowners discover their homes are overvalued. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor is a straightforward way to potentially reduce your annual obligation.
Miller County renters spend 21.2% of income on housing, significantly above the national average of roughly 18%, creating notable affordability pressure. With a median household income of $49,983, the $882 median rent consumes a larger share of earnings than most Americans face.
Miller ranks least affordable here
Miller County has the highest rent-to-income ratio (21.2%) among the eight counties profiled and well above Arkansas's 18.1% state average, making it the least affordable. The median rent of $882 pairs with below-average income, creating the toughest renting climate in this group.
Miller rents bite deepest here
Miller County's $882 median rent and 21.2% rent-to-income ratio exceed all peer counties in this analysis, reflecting both high absolute costs and low relative income. Only Marion County (20.2%) comes close to Miller's affordability strain, though Miller remains the most burdened.
Renters face steeper burden
Renters pay $882 monthly (21.2% of the $49,983 household income)—the highest rent burden by ratio in this cohort—while homeowners pay $644 (12.9% of income). Ownership costs are roughly half the rent proportion, offering meaningful relief for those able to purchase.
Miller County: prioritize ownership
If relocating to Miller County, renting consumes over 21% of income, making homeownership pursuit critical for affordability; median home value of $148,200 is reachable for many buyers. Compare Miller carefully against neighboring counties; significant savings may be found by exploring adjacent areas.
Miller County's median household income of $49,983 trails the national median of $74,755 by 33%, placing it among Arkansas's lower-income counties. The county falls slightly below the state average of $51,156, reflecting limited high-wage employment opportunities.
Lower-income tier in Arkansas
Miller County ranks in the bottom half of Arkansas counties by median household income, indicating economic challenges typical of southwestern rural communities. Job creation and wage growth remain priorities for improving household economic security.
Struggles in southwestern cluster
Miller County's $49,983 ranks in the middle of the group analyzed, exceeding only Marion County ($46,953) and Monroe County ($43,955). The $3,000–$6,000 income gap versus Little River and Logan suggests limited local economic advantages.
Housing costs stress household budgets
Miller County's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest in this group, signaling that housing consumes a larger share of income than ideal. Median home values of $148,200 may be challenging for households at the county median income.
Build resilience before building wealth
With higher housing-cost ratios, Miller County households should prioritize debt reduction and emergency savings before aggressive investing. Investigate housing assistance programs, explore side-income opportunities, and take advantage of free community financial counseling services.
Miller County's life expectancy of 71.4 years trails the U.S. average by nearly 7 years, and 26.9% of residents report poor or fair health—the second-worst rate in this group. The county has paradoxically strong provider resources but weak health outcomes.
Below state average with mixed resources
At 71.4 years, Miller County lags the Arkansas average of 72.3 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. Despite this, Miller invests heavily in healthcare providers, suggesting structural or social barriers limit health improvement.
Paradox: great providers, poor outcomes
Miller's 71.4-year life expectancy lags Logan (71.2 years) and little River (71.8 years), and its 26.9% poor/fair health rate is nearly as high as Mississippi County's 29%. Yet Miller County has exceptional provider density—a disconnect that warrants investigation into access, affordability, or health behaviors.
Exceptional provider density nationwide
Miller County offers 68 primary care providers and 266 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—rates that rival major urban centers. Yet the uninsured rate of 8.9% and stubborn health outcomes suggest financial or behavioral barriers prevent optimal care utilization.
Insurance alone isn't enough
Miller County's excellent providers won't help if you lack coverage or can't afford out-of-pocket costs. Secure health insurance through healthcare.gov or Medicaid, then make regular appointments to benefit from the county's outstanding healthcare infrastructure.
Miller County's composite risk score of 70.83 exceeds the U.S. average, making it one of the nation's higher-risk counties. Tornado risk (84.89) ranks in the 85th percentile nationally, while earthquake risk (68.61) presents secondary exposure.
Among Arkansas's Highest-Risk
At 70.83, Miller County ranks as the second-highest risk county in Arkansas, exceeded only by Lonoke (75.10) and well above the state average of 55.51. The county's tornado risk is particularly acute.
The Region's Risk Leader
Miller County (70.83) significantly outpaces neighboring Logan (48.19) and Madison (45.07) in overall risk. Its 84.89 tornado score stands as a regional outlier and a major distinguishing factor.
Tornadoes Dominate Miller's Risks
Tornado risk (84.89) is Miller County's dominant hazard, ranking among the nation's highest and reflecting the county's position in severe weather corridors. Earthquakes (68.61) and flood risk (57.28) present secondary concerns.
Tornado Coverage Is Critical
Miller County homeowners must prioritize comprehensive tornado and wind damage coverage; the county's 84.89 score demands serious protection. Adding earthquake and flood insurance ensures full coverage against the county's multiple significant hazards.