CountyScore

Moffat County

Colorado · CO

#26 in Colorado
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Moffat County, Colorado

Moffat County beats national livability baseline

Moffat County's composite score of 73.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it well above average for U.S. counties. This performance is driven primarily by favorable tax rates and moderate housing costs.

Competitive score across Colorado

At 73.3, Moffat County slightly edges Colorado's state average of 71.8, ranking solidly among the state's mid-tier counties. This consistency suggests stable, reliable conditions for residents across most measured dimensions.

Low taxes and rising incomes

Moffat County boasts a tax score of 90.2 with an effective tax rate of 0.430%, providing meaningful savings for households. The income score of 29.7 reflects a median household income of $70,975, notably higher than peers, offering better earning potential.

Housing costs climbing moderately

The cost score of 71.5 reveals median housing values of $262,500 and rent at $1,051/month—rising but still reasonable. Safety, health, education, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for income-conscious families

Moffat County appeals to families and professionals seeking a balance between earning potential and tax efficiency in a rural setting. Its above-average income profile combined with reasonable housing costs makes it attractive to those building wealth while enjoying lower cost of living.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.2Cost71.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk88WaterComing Soon
🏛90.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Moffat County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706
Franklin Parish
Louisiana
73.1
Median income: $44,103

Deep Dives

Moffat County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Moffat County

via TaxByCounty

Moffat County taxes run above state average

Moffat County's effective tax rate of 0.430% exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393% and remains well below the national median tax burden. Property owners pay a median of $1,129 annually—less than half the national median of $2,690.

Upper-middle tier among Colorado counties

At 0.430%, Moffat County ranks in the upper third of Colorado's 64 counties for effective property tax rates, slightly above the state average. The median tax bill of $1,129 falls below the state median of $1,560.

Higher rate than most northwest Colorado peers

Moffat County's 0.430% rate exceeds Montezuma (0.297%) and Ouray (0.277%) but trails Morgan County (0.526%) significantly. Among northwest regional counties, Moffat sits in the middle for tax burden despite lower median home values.

Median home costs about $1,129 annually

A typical Moffat County home valued at $262,500 incurs roughly $1,129 in annual property tax at the current 0.430% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,187, while those without mortgages pay $987.

Appeal if your assessment seems too high

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to fair market value. Moffat County residents can file a formal appeal with the county assessor if they believe their property tax bill doesn't reflect current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Moffat County

via CostByCounty

Moffat County punches above its weight

Moffat County renters spend just 17.8% of income on housing—well below the national norm and comfortably under the 30% affordability threshold. At $70,975, median household income nearly matches the U.S. average of $74,755, creating strong housing stability relative to wage levels.

Colorado's most rental-friendly county

Moffat County ranks among Colorado's best for affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.8%—nearly 3 percentage points below the state average of 20.2%. Its median rent of $1,051 is 16% cheaper than Colorado's median, despite incomes that align with state norms.

Better balance than Mineral or Montrose

Moffat County's $1,051 rent sits between Mineral County's bargain at $903 and Montrose's premium at $1,120, but its higher income of $70,975 gives renters the strongest affordability cushion. This combination—competitive rent plus above-average wages—makes Moffat a standout in northwest Colorado.

Rent stays lean, ownership costs rise

Renters here spend $1,051/month while homeowners invest $1,173, a modest gap reflecting moderate home values of $262,500. The true strength lies in income: at $70,975, monthly housing costs represent just 17-20% of earnings, leaving robust room for savings and discretionary spending.

Sweet spot for work-life balance

Moffat County offers one of Colorado's best rent-to-income ratios (17.8%) paired with decent wages, ideal for workers seeking rural lifestyle without financial strain. If you're comparing options, Moffat outperforms Mineral on income stability while staying competitive on rent against mountain counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Moffat County

via IncomeByCounty

Moffat County Slightly Below National Median

Moffat County's median household income of $70,975 falls just $3,780 short of the national median of $74,755. This positions the county near the national middle class, supported by its energy sector and agricultural base.

Competitive With Colorado's State Average

Moffat County's $70,975 income ranks close to Colorado's state median of $74,792, placing it solidly in the middle of the statewide distribution. The county maintains income parity with more developed areas despite its rural northwestern location.

Energy Sector Supports Above-Average Earnings

Moffat County's $70,975 income outpaces rural neighbors like Montezuma ($63,005) and Montrose ($66,072), reflecting its oil and gas industry presence. However, it trails wealthier mountain counties like Ouray ($84,556) and Park ($95,450).

Housing Costs Well Within Comfort Zone

A rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% means Moffat County residents dedicate less than one-fifth of earnings to housing, well below the 30% benchmark. Median home values of $262,500 remain accessible compared to state trends, supporting homeownership affordability.

Leverage Stable Income for Wealth Building

Moffat County's income stability creates opportunity to invest consistently in long-term wealth vehicles like IRAs and taxable investment accounts. Build on this foundation by automating monthly contributions and reviewing asset allocation annually.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Moffat County

via HealthByCounty

Moffat County's life expectancy lags nationally

At 75.1 years, Moffat County residents live roughly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 80.3 years, a significant gap that reflects broader health challenges in rural northwestern Colorado. The county's 19% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18%, indicating residents report more chronic conditions and health struggles.

Bottom-tier health outcomes for Colorado

Moffat County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Colorado, where the state average is 78.2 years. The 19% poor/fair health rate and 10.1% uninsured rate both signal health challenges above what typical Coloradans face.

Struggling compared to neighboring counties

Moffat County's life expectancy of 75.1 years trails Rio Blanco and Routt counties, where residents live longer and report better health outcomes. With only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the state—Moffat residents often travel long distances for routine medical care.

Severe primary care shortage, ongoing barriers

The 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means many Moffat County families struggle to find local doctors, forcing travel and delayed care. With a 10.1% uninsured rate and mental health providers at 203 per 100,000, residents face both insurance gaps and limited mental health resources despite higher provider availability than some neighbors.

Get insured and find care today

One in ten Moffat County residents lacks health insurance—a barrier that compounds the county's provider shortage and health challenges. Contact Colorado's state marketplace or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore affordable coverage, and ask your local health department about telehealth options that can bridge the distance to specialists.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Moffat County

via RiskByCounty

Moffat County's Risk: Low but Concentrated

Moffat County's composite risk score of 12.05 earns a "Very Low" rating, well below national averages and reflecting its remote northwestern Colorado location. However, this aggregate masks significant variation—wildfire risk in particular stands out as a genuine regional concern.

Among Colorado's Safer Counties Overall

Moffat County ranks among Colorado's lowest-risk counties with a composite score of 12.05, less than one-third the state average of 40.67. Its position reflects limited urban development and relatively sparse tornado and flood exposure.

Wildfire Risk Shared With Region

Moffat County's wildfire risk score of 87.47 mirrors the elevated exposure seen in neighboring counties like Montezuma (93.61) and Park (94.88), part of a broader pattern across Colorado's forested highlands. Earthquake risk at 49.71 is notably higher than Mineral or Ouray counties to the south, reflecting proximity to seismic zones.

Wildfire Dominates; Earthquake Secondary

Wildfire risk at 87.47 is Moffat County's overwhelming concern, reflecting forest coverage and dry conditions across northwestern Colorado. Earthquake risk of 49.71 ranks second, while tornado (2.70) and flood (30.69) risks remain relatively modest.

Wildfire Insurance Is Non-Negotiable

Moffat County residents must prioritize wildfire coverage, as standard homeowners policies typically exclude or severely limit wildfire damage claims. Supplemental wildfire insurance, combined with defensible space maintenance around your home, is essential given the county's 87.47 wildfire risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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