CountyScore

Moniteau County

Missouri · MO

#50 in Missouri
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Moniteau County, Missouri

Solidly above national livability

Moniteau County's composite score of 75.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong performance in core livability metrics. The county offers genuine quality-of-life advantages relative to most American counties.

Slightly above Missouri average

At 75.2, Moniteau County edges past Missouri's 74.8 state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 114 counties. It's a reliable, steady performer within its regional peer group.

Income and tax both solid

Moniteau County stands out for balancing a strong Income Score of 25.9 (median household income $65,161) with a Tax Score of 82.1 and effective rate of 0.716%. The Cost Score of 82.3 further adds to financial accessibility, making it well-rounded.

Safety and schools unassessed

Current data gaps on safety, schools, health, and environmental factors prevent a complete livability picture. These missing dimensions could significantly influence decisions for families prioritizing education or community safety.

Great for moderate-income families

Moniteau County suits working families with above-average incomes who value moderate taxes and reasonable housing costs. It's an excellent middle-ground choice for those balancing earning potential with affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.1Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth59.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk69WaterComing Soon
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69
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 Moniteau County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Lincoln County
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Median income: $50,688
Wilkinson County
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Median income: $46,673
Blaine County
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Median income: $84,470

Deep Dives

Moniteau County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Moniteau County

via TaxByCounty

Moniteau County's taxes align with nation

Moniteau County's effective tax rate of 0.716% sits just below the national median of approximately 0.82%, placing it among the more affordable American counties. With a median home value of $168,300—well below the national median of $281,900—homeowners enjoy a moderate tax burden overall.

Slightly below Missouri average

At 0.716%, Moniteau County's effective rate runs slightly below Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, offering modest relief to property owners. The median tax of $1,205 sits just above the state median of $1,199, reflecting moderately valued homes and a near-average rate.

Middle-ground tax environment

Moniteau County's 0.716% rate places it in the middle of the regional pack, between Morgan and Miller (both lower) and Mercer and Mississippi (both higher). Among rural Missouri counties, it represents a fairly balanced tax environment.

Median annual tax: approximately $1,205

A median-value home in Moniteau County worth $168,300 produces a yearly property tax of roughly $1,205, or $1,260 with mortgage escrow included. This works out to about $100 per month—reasonable for the region.

Assessment audits can pay off

With Moniteau's near-average tax rate, a professional assessment review might uncover inflated valuations that you can appeal. Even modest reductions in assessed value can translate to meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Moniteau County

via CostByCounty

Moniteau keeps rent affordable

Moniteau County renters spend 14.1% of their income on rent, squarely within the comfortable 12-15% national range. This moderate burden leaves households with reasonable money for other essential expenses.

Above average but manageable

Moniteau's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the more affordable half of Missouri counties. The county offers solid housing affordability relative to state trends.

Comparable to central Missouri peers

Moniteau's median rent of $766/month closely matches the state average of $768 and sits in the middle range among nearby counties like Miller ($724) and Montgomery ($767). The county offers balanced rental costs for the region.

Moniteau's balanced housing mix

With a median household income of $65,161—higher than most neighbors—Moniteau residents pay $766/month in rent or $818/month for mortgages on homes valued at $168,300. Housing costs consume roughly 14% of income, leaving substantial room for other priorities.

Moniteau offers solid value

If you're relocating and want moderate rents with higher incomes, Moniteau County delivers: affordable housing plus incomes averaging $65,000. The combination makes it an attractive destination for families seeking stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Moniteau County

via IncomeByCounty

Moniteau's incomes exceed state average

Moniteau County's median household income of $65,161 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $9,600, but outpaces Missouri's state average of $59,503 by about $5,700. The county ranks among the stronger earners in its region.

Above-average earner in Missouri

With a median household income of $65,161, Moniteau County ranks comfortably above Missouri's state average of $59,503. Among the eight surveyed counties, Moniteau stands second-highest, reflecting a relatively robust local economy.

Clear economic advantage nearby

Moniteau County's $65,161 income exceeds most neighbors, with only Montgomery County ($61,042) approaching parity. The $16,900 advantage over Monroe County ($48,299) and $18,900 edge over Mississippi ($46,258) demonstrates Moniteau's position as an economic leader locally.

Housing affordability well-managed

Moniteau's 14.1% rent-to-income ratio is comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, providing households real financial flexibility. With a median home value of $168,300 and solid incomes, homeownership remains attainable for most working families.

Invest for long-term security

Moniteau households enjoy surplus income after housing expenses, creating an ideal opportunity to maximize retirement contributions and open investment accounts. Consulting a fee-only financial advisor can help families optimize tax-advantaged savings and build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Moniteau County

via HealthByCounty

Moniteau holds steady on life expectancy

At 74.8 years, Moniteau County's life expectancy sits just below the U.S. average of 74.4 years, typical of many American counties. The 20.2% poor or fair health rate aligns with national patterns, though the county faces unique challenges in healthcare access.

Slightly above Missouri's baseline

Moniteau's life expectancy of 74.8 years exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 0.5 years, ranking it in the middle of Missouri's health outcomes. However, the county's 17.7% uninsured rate substantially exceeds the state average of 12.5%, affecting insurance coverage.

High uninsurance in a stable region

Moniteau's 74.8-year life expectancy is comparable to Miller County (74.9 years) and Mercer County (75.8 years), but its 17.7% uninsured rate is the highest among nearby counties. The county's 7 primary care providers per 100K is a critical shortage—among the lowest in the region—creating access bottlenecks.

Severe shortage of primary care

Moniteau's 17.7% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 5 residents lack health coverage, and those with insurance face a severe provider crunch with only 7 primary care physicians per 100K. The shortage forces residents to travel for routine care or delay treatment, undermining preventive health.

Get covered despite provider gaps

With Moniteau's critical provider shortage, having insurance becomes even more essential—it opens options for care coordination and specialist referrals. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find coverage, and ask your doctor about telehealth to bridge local access gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Moniteau County

via RiskByCounty

Moniteau stays below national risk levels

Moniteau County's composite risk score of 31.01 places it in the "Very Low" category, substantially below the national median. While not among the safest counties nationally, Moniteau offers significantly lower exposure to major disaster types than most American regions.

Well below Missouri's state average

Moniteau's score of 31.01 falls notably below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the safer half of Missouri counties. This 39% lower-than-average risk reflects generally favorable hazard conditions across the region.

Moderate safety in local context

Moniteau's 31.01 exceeds the safest neighbors like Mercer (12.28) and Monroe (21.18) but remains far safer than Miller (55.09) to the west. Locally, Moniteau ranks as a moderate-safety option within its regional cluster.

Wildfire and tornado are primary concerns

Wildfire risk scores 67.68 and tornado risk 56.23—both above state averages and Moniteau's leading hazards. Earthquake risk at 56.58 also exceeds the state mean, though flood and hurricane threats remain relatively contained.

Prepare for wind and wildfire events

Moniteau residents should invest in wind-resistant roofing and clearing defensible space around homes to address wildfire exposure. Standard homeowners insurance combined with proactive property hardening provides robust protection for the county's primary threats.

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.