CountyScore

Murray County

Minnesota · MN

#6 in Minnesota
76.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Murray County, Minnesota

Murray County ranks among nation's best

Murray County's composite score of 76.7 towers 26.7 points above the national median, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This exceptional score reflects consistently strong performance across multiple livability dimensions.

Minnesota's top performer in this group

Murray County ranks well above the Minnesota state average of 70.9 with its score of 76.7. Among these eight counties, Murray demonstrates the strongest overall livability profile.

Excellence across the board

Murray County posts impressive scores in tax (80.7), cost (82.0), health (79.5), and most strikingly risk (80.2)—indicating strong economic resilience. This county combines affordable living with stability: median home value of $179,400 and median rent of just $768.

Income growth remains limited

Murray's weakest dimension is income at 32.0, with median household income of $74,475 reflecting modest earning power. While this doesn't diminish overall livability, it suggests limited high-wage job opportunities.

The well-rounded sweet spot

Murray County is ideal for anyone seeking balanced livability: affordable housing, low taxes, good health outcomes, and economic stability. This is where modest incomes go furthest and quality of life remains consistently strong.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk80.2WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.2
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 Murray County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mathews County
Virginia
76.7
Median income: $75,487
Lamar County
Alabama
76.8
Median income: $47,447
Franklin County
Idaho
76.8
Median income: $65,991
Osage County
Missouri
76.8
Median income: $75,355
Sweet Grass County
Montana
76.8
Median income: $69,426

Deep Dives

Murray County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Murray County

via TaxByCounty

Murray County offers lowest tax rates

Murray County's effective tax rate of 0.765% is among the lowest in the nation, well below the national median and protecting homeowners from heavy property tax burdens. With a median tax bill of just $1,373, Murray residents pay less than half what typical U.S. homeowners fork over annually.

Minnesota's most tax-friendly county

Murray County's 0.765% rate ranks it in the bottom tier statewide—the most favorable in Minnesota relative to the state average of 0.968%. The county's median tax of $1,373 is the lowest among the eight-county comparison group.

Clear winner in the neighborhood

Murray County's 0.765% rate beats all neighbors: Nobles County (0.934%), Norman County (0.988%), and Mower County (1.058%). No adjacent county comes close to matching Murray's tax efficiency for homeowners.

What Murray homeowners actually pay

A median Murray County home valued at $179,400 incurs an annual tax of approximately $1,373. Interestingly, renters who own outright pay slightly less ($1,243) than those with mortgages ($1,485), a reversal reflecting property classification nuances.

Already low, but verify your assessment

Even in tax-friendly Murray County, overassessments happen and cost homeowners money. Filing an appeal is free and takes minimal effort—potentially saving you hundreds even at the county's already-low rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Murray County

via CostByCounty

Murray punches above its weight nationwide

Murray County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this eight-county dataset at just 12.4%, meaning renters here keep more income in their pockets than typical Americans or Minnesotans. With a median household income of $74,475—nearly matching the national $74,755 median—this county delivers the rare combination of fair pay and genuinely affordable housing.

Minnesota's affordability champion here

At 12.4%, Murray County's rent-to-income ratio is the best-performing among all eight counties profiled, significantly outpacing Minnesota's 14.5% state average. Renters here spend roughly $768 monthly—$147 below the state average—while earning household incomes that align with the state median.

Clear affordability leader in the region

Murray County's $768 rent and 12.4% burden ratio beat all neighboring counties in this analysis, from Morrison's $782 to Nobles' higher $863 monthly cost. Its $74,475 median household income, combined with rock-bottom rents, makes it the region's most balanced housing market.

Both renters and owners get deals

Murray County renters allocate just 12.4% of income to housing at $768 monthly, while owners spend roughly 13.4% on mortgages for homes valued at $179,400. This county stands alone in offering genuine affordability for both housing types, a rarity in modern Minnesota.

Minnesota's best housing bargain awaits

If affordability is your priority, Murray County delivers: $768 rents, $179,400 home values, and a 12.4% rent burden—the lowest in this eight-county sample. Weigh it against pricier neighbors like Nicollet ($931 rent, $258,500 homes) or Olmsted ($1,283 rent, $304,500 homes) to see the real difference location makes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Murray County

via IncomeByCounty

Murray County matches U.S. median exactly

Murray County's median household income of $74,475 essentially matches the national median of $74,755, placing it right at the U.S. baseline. This achievement is notable for a rural Minnesota county and reflects a resilient local economy.

Slightly below state average income

At $74,475, Murray County trails Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by just $1,282, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 87 counties. The per capita income of $40,277 also exceeds the state average of $39,335, indicating strong individual earnings.

Strong performer among southwest peers

Murray County's $74,475 income leads Nobles County ($65,509) and rivals or exceeds most neighboring rural counties in southwest Minnesota. Its above-average per capita income of $40,277 suggests households have multiple earners or higher individual wages.

Housing costs are very manageable

Murray County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% is among the lowest in the region, signaling comfortable housing affordability for renters and buyers alike. The median home value of $179,400 represents excellent value relative to household income.

Strong income foundation for planning

At the national median income level, Murray County households have a solid foundation for financial planning, retirement contributions, and real estate investment. The below-average housing cost ratio creates breathing room in household budgets for savings and wealth-building vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Murray County

via HealthByCounty

Murray County leads on life expectancy

At 82.9 years, Murray County residents live significantly longer than the U.S. average of 80.2 years—nearly three years longer than the typical American. This outstanding performance reflects strong preventive health practices and accessible care, though 16.2% report poor or fair health, warranting continued investment in chronic disease management.

Murray County is Minnesota's longevity leader

Murray County's 82.9-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Minnesota, surpassing the state average of 78.7 years by more than four years. The county's 7.0% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 6.0%, representing a modest coverage challenge in an otherwise high-performing county.

Dramatically outpaces regional peers on longevity

Murray County's 82.9-year life expectancy far exceeds neighboring Nobles County (79.8 years) and Mower County (78.8 years), making it a clear outlier for health outcomes. This exceptional longevity suggests effective healthcare delivery and strong community health practices.

Fewer providers, but stable health infrastructure

Murray County has just 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the lowest in Minnesota, yet residents still achieve exceptional longevity outcomes. Mental health support is limited at 75 providers per 100K, indicating potential gaps in behavioral health access that may need attention.

Murray County: keep that coverage in place

Murray County's health success depends on continuous care access, and 7.0% of residents remain uninsured. Review your coverage at MNsure.org and ensure you have a plan that protects your health year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Murray County

via RiskByCounty

Murray County among safest nationwide

With a composite risk score of just 19.82, Murray County ranks in the "Very Low" category and significantly outperforms the national average. This southwestern Minnesota county enjoys substantially lower exposure to most natural hazards compared to typical U.S. counties.

Minnesota's lowest-risk county tier

Murray County's risk score of 19.82 places it far below Minnesota's statewide average of 42.38—among the safest counties in the state. Its risk profile reflects minimal exposure across most major hazard categories.

Safest in a low-risk region

Murray County is the safest county in its region, with notably lower composite risk than neighbors Nobles, Lyon, and Cottonwood counties. Its stable climate and low tornado, flood, and wildfire exposure make it a relative safe haven.

Tornado the only moderate concern

Even Murray's highest-risk hazard—tornado at 39.41—remains below state average, while flood (25.80) and wildfire (20.64) are both minimal. Overall, the county faces unusually low natural disaster exposure statewide.

Standard coverage sufficient here

Murray County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without urgent need for specialized flood or wildfire policies. However, maintaining a basic emergency kit and staying weather-aware during severe storm season remains prudent.

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.