Monroe County's composite score of 79.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 30 points, placing it among the strongest counties nationwide. This exceptional ranking reflects outstanding tax and housing value.
2 / 5
Exceeds Tennessee average
Monroe County's 79.4 score beats Tennessee's 76.3 state average by 3.1 points, positioning it among the state's top-performing counties. This above-average ranking indicates superior livability compared to most Tennessee peers.
3 / 5
Excellent affordability and low taxes
Monroe County stands out with a strong tax score of 89.8, an effective tax rate of 0.444%, and outstanding affordability at 86.4 featuring median home values of $199,700 and the lowest rents at $699. This combination delivers exceptional value for cost-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Income growth opportunities limited
The county's income score of 20.4 reflects median household income of $56,648, the lowest in this group and below state averages. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a complete assessment of livability factors.
5 / 5
Ideal for fixed-income retirees
Monroe County suits retirees, remote workers, and families maximizing financial resources through low taxes and minimal housing costs. The exceptional affordability makes comfortable living possible on modest incomes, though limited wage growth may constrain those seeking career opportunities.
Monroe County's composite score of 79.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 30 points, placing it among the strongest counties nationwide. This exceptional ranking reflects outstanding tax and housing value.
Exceeds Tennessee average
Monroe County's 79.4 score beats Tennessee's 76.3 state average by 3.1 points, positioning it among the state's top-performing counties. This above-average ranking indicates superior livability compared to most Tennessee peers.
Excellent affordability and low taxes
Monroe County stands out with a strong tax score of 89.8, an effective tax rate of 0.444%, and outstanding affordability at 86.4 featuring median home values of $199,700 and the lowest rents at $699. This combination delivers exceptional value for cost-conscious residents.
Income growth opportunities limited
The county's income score of 20.4 reflects median household income of $56,648, the lowest in this group and below state averages. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a complete assessment of livability factors.
Ideal for fixed-income retirees
Monroe County suits retirees, remote workers, and families maximizing financial resources through low taxes and minimal housing costs. The exceptional affordability makes comfortable living possible on modest incomes, though limited wage growth may constrain those seeking career opportunities.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Monroe County taxes remain well below national median
Monroe County's 0.444% effective tax rate is less than half the national median of 0.96%, positioning it in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties. The $887 median tax is only 33% of the national median of $2,690.
Below Tennessee state average
Monroe County's 0.444% rate is 13% lower than Tennessee's 0.511% state average, ranking it among the lower-tax counties statewide. The $887 median tax is 13% below the state median of $1,016.
Mid-range among regional counties
Monroe County's 0.444% rate falls between the region's lowest-taxed counties (McMinn at 0.371%) and higher-taxed peers like Montgomery (0.673%). Its $887 median tax is moderate compared to neighboring counties.
Median home costs about $887 yearly
On a typical Monroe County home worth $199,700, you'll pay approximately $887 in annual property taxes. That translates to roughly $74 per month—well below national averages.
Appeal to verify your true assessment
Monroe County homeowners, like those elsewhere in Tennessee, may be overpaying due to inflated property assessments. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could reduce your tax bill if your home is overvalued.
Monroe County renters spend just 14.8% of their income on housing—the lowest ratio in this eight-county cluster and well below the national average. Despite a median household income of $56,648 below national norms, residents enjoy exceptional housing value.
Monroe ranks among Tennessee's most affordable counties
Monroe County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio places it in Tennessee's affordability top tier, far outpacing the state average of 17.6%. The median rent of $699 is the lowest among regional peers and 19% below the state median of $860.
Cheapest rents in the entire regional comparison
Monroe's $699 median rent undercuts even McNairy County's $706 and McMinn's $792, making it the rental bargain of the region. Median home values of $199,700 remain accessible, offering both renters and buyers strong value propositions.
Renters and owners both claim Tennessee value wins
Renters pay $699 and owners $629 monthly from a median household income of $56,648, the lowest per-capita income in this cluster. Yet both groups keep housing costs under 15% of income—a remarkable affordability achievement.
Monroe is the region's affordability winner
Whether renting or buying, Monroe County delivers the lowest housing costs and best affordability ratios in this entire regional comparison. If you're relocating on a tight budget, Monroe outperforms every neighboring county on price and value metrics.
Monroe County's median household income of $56,648 trails the national median of $74,755 by $18,107—a 24% shortfall that reflects significant economic disadvantage. Per capita income of $29,107 falls notably below the state average of $31,458, indicating limited earning potential across the community.
Below Tennessee state average income
Monroe County earns $2,346 less than the Tennessee state average of $58,994, placing it among the state's lower-income communities. This modest gap masks deeper structural employment challenges that require targeted economic development.
Second-lowest income in the regional group
Monroe County's $56,648 median income edges above only McNairy County ($50,714) in the region but lags all other comparable counties. The $17,514 gap to Maury County ($74,162) highlights stark income inequality within this rural Tennessee region.
Best housing affordability in the region
Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8%—the lowest in this county group—keeps housing costs very manageable and well below the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $199,700 makes homeownership accessible for county-median households, providing a wealth-building opportunity.
Seize housing equity and income growth opportunities
Monroe County's excellent housing affordability creates an ideal window for building wealth through homeownership before prices appreciate further. Focus simultaneously on increasing household income through career advancement, skill development, and exploring remote work opportunities from higher-wage markets.
Monroe County residents live to 70.8 years, 2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 72.8 years, signaling significant health disadvantages. With 24.2% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national 21% average—the county faces elevated rates of chronic disease and disability.
Among Tennessee's Worst Health Performers
Monroe County's 70.8-year life expectancy falls 1.6 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The 11.8% uninsured rate nearly matches Tennessee's 11.9% state average, providing little coverage advantage.
Struggles Against Regional Health Leaders
Monroe County's 70.8 years trails Marshall (73.6) and Montgomery (74.0) by 2-3 years, though it exceeds Meigs (69.1) and McNairy (70.3). With just 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region—Monroe residents face severe barriers to preventive care and early treatment.
Critical Primary Care Shortage
Monroe County's 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent the region's worst shortage, forcing patients to travel far for routine care. The 11.8% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 8 residents lack coverage, and with sparse primary care, delayed diagnosis and emergency-only healthcare become the norm.
Insurance Is Your Gateway to Care
Monroe County's provider shortage makes health insurance even more essential—coverage enables access to specialists and telehealth options. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health office to find affordable plans that connect you to care beyond Monroe's limited local resources.
Monroe County's composite risk score of 60.91 exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, reflecting above-average exposure to multiple natural disaster hazards. This elevated profile warrants heightened preparedness and insurance attention.
Upper-middle risk tier in Tennessee
Monroe County ranks in the upper-middle range of Tennessee's disaster risk hierarchy, safer than Maury and Montgomery counties but riskier than Meigs and Marshall counties. Its balanced but elevated hazard mix reflects East Tennessee's complex geology and weather patterns.
Similar risk to McMinn, lower than Maury
Monroe County (60.91) poses comparable risk to neighboring McMinn County (60.24) but trails significantly behind Maury County (79.29). It substantially outranks the safety levels of Marshall County (45.42) and McNairy County (50.54).
Earthquakes and wildfires create dual threat
Monroe County faces the highest earthquake risk at 89.06 and considerable wildfire risk at 68.58, making it uniquely vulnerable to ground instability and forest fires. Tornado risk (63.77), flood risk (65.08), and hurricane risk (60.33) add multiple concurrent hazards.
Earthquake and wildfire coverage critical
Monroe County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance and verify wildfire coverage—especially those with forested properties—as these represent the county's top dual hazards. Flood insurance and comprehensive wind protection should complete a robust coverage strategy.