CountyScore

Moore County

North Carolina · NC

#40 in North Carolina
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Moore County, North Carolina

Moore County Maintains Above-Average Livability

Moore County scores 71.7 on the composite index, 43% above the national median of 50.0. The score reflects a balance between higher incomes and elevated housing costs, typical of more developed North Carolina communities.

Slightly Below State Average Despite Strength

Moore scores 71.7, just below North Carolina's average of 72.7, placing it in the state's middle-upper range. The modest gap reflects income and housing cost trade-offs that distinguish it from more affordable rural counties.

Higher Incomes Support Professional Lifestyles

Moore's income score of 37.5 corresponds to a median household income of $82,837, second-highest in this county group and attractive to professionals. The tax score of 86.4 (effective rate 0.566%) provides reasonable fiscal relief relative to earning potential.

Housing Costs Rise with Economic Activity

The cost score of 69.3 marks the second-lowest in this group, with median home values of $315,300 and monthly rent at $1,181—reflecting Moore's developed, desirable character. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are not yet available for complete assessment.

Ideal for Affluent Professionals and Families

Moore County suits higher-earning professionals, established families, and entrepreneurs who value steady incomes and quality of life over maximum affordability. The county offers livability and amenities befitting an economically active community, though housing costs require adequate earning power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost69.3SafetyComing SoonHealth73.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.5Risk24.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.4
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 Moore County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Moore County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Moore County

via TaxByCounty

Moore County taxes fall below national average

Moore County's effective tax rate of 0.566% ranks in the lowest 35% of U.S. counties. Despite higher home values ($315,300 median), the median property tax of $1,784 remains below the national median of $2,690.

Moore ranks below state average statewide

At 0.566%, Moore's effective rate trails North Carolina's 0.701% average, placing it in the lower-tax tier. The median property tax of $1,784 is $351 above the state median, reflecting Moore's higher home valuations in a low-rate environment.

Moore's pleasant hybrid status in NC tax map

Moore's 0.566% rate sits between mountain lows like Madison (0.496%) and urban rates like Mecklenburg (0.749%), offering a middle path. The county attracts residents seeking moderately valued homes with reasonable tax rates.

On a Moore median home, the annual tax due

A $315,300 home—Moore's median value—incurs approximately $1,784 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to $1,857 when county fees are included.

Assessment accuracy matters for every homeowner

Moore County residents should verify their assessments are current and correct, as inaccuracies can add up quickly on higher-value homes. The assessor's office handles appeals at no charge and can identify potential savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Moore County

via CostByCounty

Moore offers affordable housing for higher earners

Moore County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% sits below the national affordability strain threshold, supported by the state's second-highest median household income of $82,837. Rents of $1,181 monthly remain manageable for these relatively affluent households.

Moore ranks as North Carolina's second-most affluent

Moore County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 18.6%, but the real story is income: at $82,837, only Mecklenburg County ($83,765) earns more. This income advantage is what makes Moore's higher rents feel affordable relative to other parts of the state.

Moore bridges rural and affluent markets

Moore County's $1,181 rent represents a middle ground: far cheaper than Mecklenburg's $1,521 but substantially pricier than mountain counties like McDowell ($741). The $82,837 median income places Moore squarely in the affluent exurban tier that drives piedmont housing costs.

High income absorbs higher housing costs

Moore County households earning $82,837 annually spend 17.1% on rent ($1,181) and roughly 16.6% on ownership ($1,151) for median homes valued at $315,300. The county demonstrates how strong incomes can sustain higher absolute costs while maintaining affordability ratios.

Moore: affluent living with reasonable ratios

If your income matches Moore County's $82,837 median, you'll find rents of $1,181 and homes worth $315,300 represent genuine value compared to Mecklenburg's premium. However, families earning national or state averages may find Moore's costs stretch paychecks tighter than mountain alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Moore County

via IncomeByCounty

Moore County exceeds national income

Moore County's median household income of $82,837 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $8,082, positioning it among wealthier American counties. This prosperity reflects the county's blend of retirees, golf industry workers, and commuters to larger markets.

Second-highest income in North Carolina

Moore County's $82,837 median household income ranks second in North Carolina after Mecklenburg County, exceeding the state average of $61,072 by 36%. The per capita income of $44,318 is also among the state's highest, indicating strong individual earning power and wealth concentration.

Rivals Mecklenburg for regional prosperity

Moore County's $82,837 income nearly matches Mecklenburg County's $83,765, creating a prosperous corridor in the Piedmont region. Both counties significantly outpace rural Appalachian neighbors, illustrating the urban-rural income divide in North Carolina.

Housing costs proportional to income

Moore County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio is reasonable despite the elevated housing market, with a median home value of $315,300. The strong median income makes homeownership and property investment accessible for most county households.

Invest strategically for long-term growth

Moore County residents earning $82,837 have substantial capacity for diversified investing beyond homeownership, including retirement accounts and market-based assets. Regular contributions to investment accounts, combined with the county's economic stability, position residents well for retirement security and wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Moore County

via HealthByCounty

Moore County's excellent health story

Moore County's 77.0-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 2.5 years, placing it among the nation's healthier counties. With just 14.2% of residents in poor or fair health—well below the national 21%—Moore County residents enjoy sustained wellness that mirrors prosperous suburban areas.

Second healthiest county in state

Moore County's 77.0-year life expectancy ranks second in North Carolina, trailing only Mecklenburg County's 78.8 years and exceeding the state average of 74.4 years by 2.6 years. The county's 14.2% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest statewide, reflecting strong community health management and economic stability.

Clear health leader in region

Moore County's 77.0-year life expectancy significantly outpaces all nearby rural counties: 6.3 years ahead of Nash County (73.5 years), 3.2 years ahead of McDowell County (74.3 years), and 1.5 years ahead of Madison County (74.7 years). With 111 primary care providers and 273 mental health providers per 100K, Moore County has the densest healthcare infrastructure outside of Mecklenburg.

Best coverage, best access

Moore County's 10.2% uninsured rate is the lowest of any county profiled and well below the state average of 12.5%, reflecting high employment and stable incomes. With 111 primary care providers per 100K—second only to Mecklenburg—residents enjoy immediate access to preventive and routine care without long waits or travel.

Keep your coverage strong

Even in Moore County, 1 in 10 residents lack health insurance, risking medical debt and delayed care. Check your coverage status at healthcare.gov or through your employer to ensure uninterrupted access to the quality care that makes Moore County a health leader.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Moore County

via RiskByCounty

Moore County faces above-average disaster risk

Moore County scores 75.64 on the composite risk scale with a "Relatively Low" rating, about 13% above North Carolina's 66.72 state average, indicating elevated but manageable hazard exposure. The county experiences notably high scores across tornadoes (85.66), hurricanes (88.28), wildfires (81.81), and floods (76.43), creating a compound-threat environment.

Upper-middle risk tier in North Carolina

Moore County ranks in the upper-middle of North Carolina counties, with tornado risk (85.66) and hurricane risk (88.28) among the state's highest. The county's Piedmont location and proximity to both tornado alley pathways and Atlantic storm tracks drive this elevated multi-hazard exposure.

Riskier than Montgomery, similar to Nash

Moore County's 75.64 score substantially exceeds Montgomery County (48.95) but closely mirrors Nash County (80.60), reflecting a shared piedmont vulnerability to severe weather and tropical systems. The county's elevated wildfire risk (81.81) distinguishes it from some neighbors, likely due to forest coverage and seasonal drought conditions.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate threats

Tornado risk (85.66) is Moore County's highest hazard, reflecting the county's position relative to spring and early-summer severe weather systems that traverse the piedmont. Hurricane risk (88.28) ranks nearly as high despite the county's inland location, driven by tropical system rainfall and wind exposure from Atlantic storms reaching the region.

Invest in storm shelters and insurance

Moore County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance including flood coverage, and consider installing a home storm shelter or identifying community safe rooms for tornado events. Maintain an emergency kit, know your evacuation routes for hurricane season, and trim trees regularly to reduce windstorm damage—this county's compound threat profile demands serious preparedness investment.

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.