CountyScore

Monroe County

Ohio · OH

#4 in Ohio
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Ohio

Monroe County ranks highest nationally

Monroe County's composite score of 76.1 ranks it in the 76th percentile nationally, sitting 52% above the national median of 50.0. Among the eight counties profiled, this is the second-strongest national performance.

Ohio's elite livability tier

At 76.1, Monroe County significantly exceeds Ohio's 68.8 state average, placing it among the state's top performers. Few Ohio counties match its combination of affordability, low taxes, and livability scores.

Exceptional affordability and tax relief

Monroe County leads on affordability with a cost score of 88.4 and the lowest median home value ($132,000) and rent ($626/month) in this group. The tax score of 77.8 and effective rate of 0.870% are the best among all eight counties.

Limited income and employment base

The income score of 21.9 and median household income of $58,962 indicate limited local earning potential and economic opportunity. Like many affordable Appalachian counties, data on schools, health, and safety remains unavailable.

Top choice for ultra-budget living

Monroe County is unmatched for retirees, remote workers, and anyone seeking the absolute lowest cost of living combined with minimal taxes in Ohio. The clear trade-off: exceptional affordability versus very limited local economic opportunity and services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.8Cost88.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.9Risk72.8WaterComing Soon
🏛77.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.8
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 Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Perry County
Alabama
73.2
Median income: $34,368
Crowley County
Colorado
73.2
Median income: $47,563
Jay County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $54,114
Putnam County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $76,182
Vermillion County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $59,363

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe County offers among lowest national rates

At 0.870%, Monroe County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties, dramatically below the national median of 1.3%. The median annual tax of just $1,148 on a $132,000 home represents some of the most affordable property taxation in America.

Monroe County ranks lowest in Ohio sample

Monroe County's 0.870% effective rate is the lowest of all eight counties examined and substantially below Ohio's state average of 1.148%. At $1,148 in annual taxes, Monroe County homeowners enjoy exceptional property tax affordability.

Monroe edges out all regional competitors

Monroe County's 0.870% rate undercuts even Marion County's 0.980% and Meigs County's 0.985%, making it the clear tax-value leader in the region. Combined with modest home values, Monroe produces the lowest absolute tax bills for homebuyers in this eight-county area.

Median $132K home = just $1,148 yearly

On Monroe County's median home value of $132,000, the 0.870% rate generates only $1,148 in annual property taxes. This is less than 43% of the national median tax bill, offering extraordinary long-term savings for property owners.

Low rates don't guarantee fair assessments

Even at Monroe County's exceptionally low tax levels, properties may be assessed above recent market value, particularly in rural areas with limited comparable sales data. Homeowners should verify their assessment against county records and recent neighborhood sales; a successful appeal could provide meaningful relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe County punches above its weight

Monroe County renters spend just 12.7% of their income on housing—below the national 15% threshold—despite earning $15,793 below the U.S. median. This rural county achieves surprising affordability through exceptionally low housing costs.

Ohio's third-most affordable county

Monroe County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Ohio's best, sitting nearly 2.9 percentage points below the state average of 15.6%. With the lowest median rent of $626 in this analysis, Monroe delivers remarkable affordability.

Deepest discount in the region

Monroe County's $626 median rent is dramatically lower than any peer county—Meigs ($704) is the second-lowest but still $78 higher. The trade-off is lower wages at $58,962, but the housing savings more than compensate.

Monroe's minimal housing burden

The median Monroe County household earning $58,962 annually spends just $626 on rent or $589 on mortgage costs monthly. Both renters (12.7%) and homeowners (12%) allocate minimal portions of income to housing—extraordinary by any standard.

Monroe County for serious savers

Monroe County's rock-bottom rents make it ideal for relocators prioritizing maximum savings and lower cost of living. Verify job availability and wage levels carefully, but if you can secure stable employment, Monroe offers unmatched housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe trails the national income baseline

Monroe County's median household income of $58,962 falls $15,793 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap reflects Monroe's position as an economically challenged Appalachian community.

Monroe ranks below Ohio's state average

Monroe County's median household income of $58,962 lags Ohio's state average of $68,101 by more than $9,100, marking it as a lower-income Ohio county. The county's per capita income of $33,856 also trails the state average of $35,642.

Monroe ranks in the lower-income cluster

Monroe's $58,962 median household income exceeds Meigs County ($46,701) and Marion County ($57,306), but significantly trails higher-earning peers like Miami County ($74,175), Mercer County ($78,036), and Medina County ($92,660). The county sits squarely in the region's lower-income cohort.

Monroe offers modest housing affordability advantage

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.7% represents one of the healthier ratios among the eight counties reviewed, suggesting reasonable housing cost burden. Combined with a modest median home value of $132,000, homeownership and stable rental housing remain relatively accessible despite below-average incomes.

Monroe residents can build stability methodically

Monroe's relative housing affordability creates an opportunity to prioritize savings over shelter costs; residents should establish emergency funds and explore skill-building investments. Even incremental income growth paired with consistent saving can meaningfully improve financial security for Monroe County families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe County lags U.S. health average

At 73.6 years, Monroe County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 72.4 by only 1.2 years, but its 22.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 21%. One in five Monroe residents reports chronic health problems, signaling widespread disease burden. The county is aging at a typical pace but with higher chronic disease prevalence.

Below Ohio's health benchmark

Monroe County's 73.6-year life expectancy falls short of Ohio's 74.8-year average by 1.2 years, placing it in the lower half of state rankings. The 22.3% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the state, and the 7.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Ohio's 7.5%, suggesting both health and access challenges. Monroe faces health headwinds relative to the state.

Penultimate in health outcomes

Monroe County's 73.6-year life expectancy beats only Meigs County (70.8) in the comparison group and trails Madison by 2.6 years. Its 22.3% poor/fair health rate is second-worst after Marion County (22.2%), indicating shared struggles with health challenges. Monroe and Marion form a troubled pair, distinct from the healthier northern and western counties.

Sparse primary care in underserved county

Monroe County has only 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the lowest in the cohort, creating significant access barriers for preventive care. Mental health providers number 30 per 100,000, the lowest in the entire comparison group and critically inadequate for addressing behavioral health needs. Residents face acute shortages in both primary and mental health providers.

Insurance is your gateway to limited care

With 7.8% uninsured and only 15 primary care providers per 100,000, securing coverage in Monroe County is essential to access the limited providers available. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health department to explore Medicaid and marketplace options. Getting covered connects you to the primary and mental health resources Monroe offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe County enjoys very low risk

Monroe County scores 27.26 on the composite natural disaster risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—50% below Ohio's 55.03 state average. The county experiences minimal hazard exposure across all major disaster categories, making it one of Ohio's safest environments. Residents here benefit from unusually favorable natural disaster conditions.

Ohio's most protected counties

Monroe County ranks among Ohio's lowest-risk counties with a 27.26 composite score, substantially below the 55.03 state average. Only the very safest Ohio counties maintain lower overall risk profiles. This exceptional positioning reflects geographic and structural advantages that minimize natural disaster exposure.

Among the safest in the region

Monroe County's 27.26 risk score rivals Madison County (24.90) and Mercer County (31.65) as one of Ohio's safest communities. The county substantially outperforms adjacent Marion County (61.10) and Medina County (68.96). This clustering of very-low-risk counties along Ohio's western edge creates a protective zone.

Hurricane and flood risks most notable

Hurricane risk (54.82) and flood risk (50.92) represent Monroe County's most significant hazards, though both remain manageable compared to higher-risk counties. Tornado risk is minimal at 23.92, while earthquake and wildfire risks are similarly low at 33.05 and 18.26 respectively. The county's overall low exposure simplifies disaster preparedness considerably.

Minimal coverage requirements here

Standard homeowners insurance addressing wind and hail provides adequate protection for Monroe County's modest tornado and severe weather exposure. Flood insurance is optional but worth considering given the 50.92 flood risk, particularly for properties near low-lying areas. Monroe County's favorable risk profile means most residents don't require specialized disaster coverage.

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.