Moody County scores 72.2 out of 100, placing it in the top 22% of U.S. counties and well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Meets State Average Performance
With a score of 72.2, Moody County performs slightly above South Dakota's 71.3 state average, ranking among the upper tier of counties statewide. This consistency demonstrates solid execution across key livability measures.
3 / 5
Affordability and Low Risk Stand Out
Moody County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 82.3 and median rent of just $723/month, among the state's lowest. The risk score of 73.1 indicates strong stability and resilience against economic or environmental shocks.
4 / 5
Income Remains a Relative Weakness
Median household income of $77,500 produces a score of 34.0, the lowest dimension and indicating limited wage opportunities compared to regional benchmarks. Health outcomes at 71.6 are solid but lag the county's other strengths.
5 / 5
Perfect for Budget-Conscious Retirees
Moody County is ideal for retirees or families prioritizing affordability and stability over earning potential, with exceptional housing costs and low economic risk. The combination of moderate incomes and minimal expenses makes this county a smart choice for fixed-income households.
Moody County scores 72.2 out of 100, placing it in the top 22% of U.S. counties and well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects balanced livability across multiple dimensions.
Meets State Average Performance
With a score of 72.2, Moody County performs slightly above South Dakota's 71.3 state average, ranking among the upper tier of counties statewide. This consistency demonstrates solid execution across key livability measures.
Affordability and Low Risk Stand Out
Moody County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 82.3 and median rent of just $723/month, among the state's lowest. The risk score of 73.1 indicates strong stability and resilience against economic or environmental shocks.
Income Remains a Relative Weakness
Median household income of $77,500 produces a score of 34.0, the lowest dimension and indicating limited wage opportunities compared to regional benchmarks. Health outcomes at 71.6 are solid but lag the county's other strengths.
Perfect for Budget-Conscious Retirees
Moody County is ideal for retirees or families prioritizing affordability and stability over earning potential, with exceptional housing costs and low economic risk. The combination of moderate incomes and minimal expenses makes this county a smart choice for fixed-income households.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛71.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Moody County taxes slightly above the national average
Moody County's effective tax rate of 1.081% outpaces the national median of 0.84%, landing it in the middle-upper range nationally. The median property tax bill here is $2,231, just below the national median of $2,690.
Near the middle of South Dakota's tax rankings
Moody County's 1.081% effective rate sits just below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, making it a mid-range county for tax burden. Among the eight counties studied, Moody ranks fifth in effective tax rate.
Lower taxes than Minnehaha, higher than Roberts
Moody's 1.081% rate falls between Roberts County (1.050%) to the northwest and Minnehaha (1.159%) to the south. This positioning reflects the gradual variation in tax rates across northeast South Dakota.
Expect about $2,231 in annual property taxes
On Moody's median home value of $206,300, the typical annual property tax bill is $2,231. Mortgage holders pay slightly more at $2,265, while outright owners average $2,200 annually.
Moody homeowners should verify their assessments
Overassessment affects an estimated 30% of homeowners nationally, and Moody County residents are not exempt from this common issue. Filing a property tax appeal costs little and can result in meaningful savings if your home's assessed value exceeds its true market value.
At just 11.2% of median household income, Moody County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national benchmark and gives residents significantly more breathing room. With median household income of $77,500 and median rent at $723, this county offers one of the most affordable rental markets in the region.
Best housing affordability in South Dakota comparison
Moody County ranks as the most affordable rental market among the eight South Dakota counties examined, with a 11.2% rent-to-income ratio well below the state average of 13.8%. Its median rent of $723 undercuts the state average by $33, providing genuine relief for budget-conscious renters.
Moody undercuts all regional competitors on rent
Moody County's $723 median rent beats Roberts County ($656) by just $67 but significantly undercuts Minnehaha ($954) and Pennington ($1,066). Among mid-sized counties, Moody offers the sweet spot: lower costs than urban centers with better incomes than the most rural areas.
Balanced housing costs across tenure types
Renters pay $723 monthly while homeowners average $871—a modest 20% difference that reflects affordable property values of $206,300. At both price points, housing costs consume under 12% of the median $77,500 household income, leaving substantial room for other expenses.
Moody County: best value in South Dakota
For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing income potential, Moody County delivers: strong median income of $77,500 paired with the lowest rents in this comparison. You'll find both rental and ownership housing accessible, with costs leaving 88% of your income for everything else.
Moody County's median household income of $77,500 tops the national median of $74,755 by $2,745. The county ranks among stronger-earning regions nationwide, outperforming most U.S. counties despite its rural character.
Second-highest income in state
Moody County claims the second-best median household income in South Dakota at $77,500, trailing only Minnehaha County by just $1,426. This ranking reflects the county's stable agricultural and small-business economy.
Regional income leader
Moody's $77,500 median household income edges out Minnehaha County ($76,074) and substantially exceeds Roberts County ($63,691) and Sanborn County ($69,870). The county punches above its rural weight in regional earnings comparisons.
Excellent housing affordability
A rent-to-income ratio of 11.2% ranks among South Dakota's best, with housing costs consuming only one-ninth of median income. At a median home value of $206,300, Moody offers strong purchasing power and financial flexibility.
Strong foundation for financial growth
Moody County residents benefit from above-average income and exceptional housing affordability, creating substantial room for savings and investment. Take advantage of this position by automating retirement contributions and exploring diversified investment vehicles suited to long-term wealth building.
Moody County's 75.8-year life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while 13.5% of residents report poor or fair health compared to the national rate of 17.9%. The county faces moderate health challenges amid broader South Dakota trends.
Below-average life expectancy for the state
Moody County's life expectancy of 75.8 years falls 1.6 years short of South Dakota's 75.4-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. At 13.5% poor/fair health, the county exceeds the state average, indicating elevated health vulnerability.
Neighboring counties show stronger health
Moody County lags behind surrounding areas: Minnehaha County to the south reaches 77.0 years, while Roberts County to the north sits at 72.2 years. At just 48 primary care providers per 100K, Moody faces severe provider shortages compared to Minnehaha's 102 per 100K.
Limited providers, higher uninsured rates
Moody County's 11.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 11.1%, leaving nearly 1 in 8 residents without coverage. With only 48 primary care providers per 100K—less than half the state's leading counties—accessing care requires residents to travel or wait longer for appointments.
Coverage is more critical in Moody
Provider scarcity makes health insurance even more essential in Moody County, yet more residents lack it than the state average. Contact the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace now to find affordable coverage and connect with available providers in your area.
Moody County's composite risk score of 26.94 places it just above the South Dakota state average of 26.84, indicating very low overall disaster exposure compared to U.S. counties. The county sits well below the national risk median, offering residents relatively stable conditions across most hazard categories.
Safest counties in South Dakota
Moody County ranks among the bottom tier of disaster-prone South Dakota counties, with a composite score essentially matching the state average. This position reflects manageable exposure to natural hazards, though localized tornado and wildfire risks still warrant standard preparedness measures.
Dramatically safer than nearby Minnehaha
Moody County's 26.94 score represents roughly one-third the risk of neighboring Minnehaha County's 89.54, making it one of South Dakota's safest regions despite proximity to higher-risk areas. This geographic variance means disaster preparedness needs differ sharply even between adjacent counties.
Tornado and wildfire present modest threats
Tornado risk in Moody reaches 62.91, representing the county's primary hazard concern but still well below national highs for this category. Wildfire risk of 54.04 ranks as the second concern, though neither threat approaches the severity found in counties west of the Missouri River.
Standard coverage provides adequate protection
Moody County residents benefit from low-risk exposure, making standard homeowners insurance with tornado coverage sufficient for most properties. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate liability and replacement-cost coverage, and maintain a weather radio to receive storm warnings during tornado season.