Nodaway County's composite score of 74.0 ranks 48% above the national median of 50.0, signaling strong livability relative to most U.S. counties. This consistent outperformance reflects affordability as a key strength.
2 / 5
Slightly below Missouri's median
At 74.0, Nodaway County trails Missouri's average of 74.8 by a narrow margin, placing it just below the state's midpoint. The gap is minimal, positioning it as a solid performer in Missouri's county rankings.
3 / 5
Affordability leads the way
Nodaway County posts an impressive cost score of 83.4 with a median home value of $165,100 and median gross rent of just $754/month. The tax score of 79.4 and effective tax rate of 0.812% further reinforce its appeal to budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Income levels constrain opportunity
The county's income score of 19.9 reflects a median household income of $55,970, signaling limited higher-wage job availability. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Perfect for affordable rural living
Nodaway County appeals to budget-focused individuals and families seeking small-town life with minimal tax burden. It's an excellent choice for those willing to trade earning potential for rock-bottom cost of living.
Nodaway County's composite score of 74.0 ranks 48% above the national median of 50.0, signaling strong livability relative to most U.S. counties. This consistent outperformance reflects affordability as a key strength.
Slightly below Missouri's median
At 74.0, Nodaway County trails Missouri's average of 74.8 by a narrow margin, placing it just below the state's midpoint. The gap is minimal, positioning it as a solid performer in Missouri's county rankings.
Affordability leads the way
Nodaway County posts an impressive cost score of 83.4 with a median home value of $165,100 and median gross rent of just $754/month. The tax score of 79.4 and effective tax rate of 0.812% further reinforce its appeal to budget-conscious residents.
Income levels constrain opportunity
The county's income score of 19.9 reflects a median household income of $55,970, signaling limited higher-wage job availability. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.
Perfect for affordable rural living
Nodaway County appeals to budget-focused individuals and families seeking small-town life with minimal tax burden. It's an excellent choice for those willing to trade earning potential for rock-bottom cost of living.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Nodaway County's effective tax rate of 0.812% exceeds the national median of 0.91% by a narrow margin, positioning it slightly above average for U.S. counties. Residents pay $1,340 annually on homes valued near the national median, yet their home values ($165,100) fall well below the U.S. median of $281,900.
Nodaway ranks above Missouri's statewide rate
At 0.812%, Nodaway's effective tax rate exceeds Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, placing it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median property tax of $1,340 also runs $141 above Missouri's median of $1,199, signaling steeper tax burdens for local homeowners.
Nodaway ranks higher than nearby counties
Nodaway's 0.812% rate surpasses neighboring Worth and Andrew counties in northwest Missouri, making it one of the region's pricier tax jurisdictions. Homeowners relocating here should expect noticeably higher property tax bills than in adjacent areas.
Annual property tax in Nodaway County
A homeowner with a $165,100 property in Nodaway pays roughly $1,340 in annual property tax, or about $119 more per month than the state median. With mortgage obligations included, that climbs to $1,434, making tax planning important for local buyers.
Review assessments in higher-tax counties
Counties with above-average tax rates like Nodaway see more frequent overassessment disputes. Request a reassessment from your county assessor—particularly if your home's recent market value dropped or local comparable sales suggest your assessment is inflated.
Nodaway County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% exceeds the national baseline, meaning renters here dedicate a larger portion of their $55,970 median income to housing than the typical American household. Despite relatively low rent of $754 per month, income constraints create measurable affordability pressure.
Below Missouri Average, But Tighter Than Peers
Nodaway County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio edges slightly above Missouri's 15.6% state average, placing it in the middle tier of Missouri counties for affordability. The county's median rent of $754 matches the state average almost exactly, yet lower household income drives the affordability challenge.
Affordable Rent, but Income Lags the Region
Nodaway's $754 rent represents the lowest in its region, yet its median household income of $55,970 is substantially below Newton County ($64,583) and Osage County ($75,355). This income-to-rent mismatch explains why Nodaway renters feel affordability pressure despite competitive rental prices.
A Tight Housing Budget in Nodaway
Renters pay $754 monthly while homeowners spend $758, consuming 16.2% and 16.2% of the median income respectively—uncomfortably high by national standards. The near-parity between rent and ownership costs offers renters little advantage when household income struggles to keep pace.
Nodaway Works If Income Rises With You
Nodaway County offers genuinely low housing costs, but the county's affordability gains evaporate if your household income doesn't exceed $55,970. Test whether a prospective job move would push your income above the county median to unlock true housing affordability.
Nodaway County's median household income of $55,970 trails the national median of $74,755 by 25.1%. The county ranks in the lower third of U.S. counties for household earnings.
Below Missouri state average income
Nodaway County households earn $55,970 annually, falling $3,533 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. This places Nodaway in the lower half of Missouri's 114 counties.
Struggling against neighboring counties
Nodaway's $55,970 median trails Newton County ($64,583) by $8,613 and falls below Perry County ($63,356). The county's per capita income of $28,894 ranks among the lower figures in northwest Missouri.
Rental burden growing for residents
Nodaway's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% approaches the affordability threshold, indicating moderate housing stress. While still manageable, this ratio limits discretionary spending for renters in the county.
Maximize limited income through planning
Nodaway County households face tighter budgets, making strategic financial planning essential. Prioritizing debt reduction and exploring employer retirement benefits can help residents build wealth despite lower median earnings.
Nodaway County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 80.2 years—nearly 6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years and nearly 6 years above Missouri's 74.3-year average. Yet 19.9% still report poor or fair health, suggesting that longevity masks underlying health challenges for a significant segment.
Nodaway outranks nearly all Missouri counties
At 80.2 years, Nodaway County has the longest life expectancy in Missouri—a remarkable 5.9 years ahead of the state average. This exceptional longevity, paired with a low 10.3% uninsured rate (below Missouri's 12.5%), reflects strong economic and healthcare infrastructure.
Nodaway excels in mental health provider access
Nodaway County offers 150 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, far exceeding most neighbors and providing robust psychiatric and counseling services. With 38 primary care providers per 100,000, Nodaway's healthcare workforce is also competitive regionally, supporting its exceptional life expectancy.
Nodaway residents enjoy solid insurance coverage
Just 10.3% of Nodaway County residents lack health insurance, beating Missouri's average by 2.2 percentage points and ensuring most families have regular access to care. Combined with excellent provider availability, Nodaway's healthcare system is among Missouri's most robust.
Help uninsured friends and family get coverage
While Nodaway's uninsured rate is already low, nearly 2,000 residents still lack coverage. If you know someone without insurance, encourage them to visit the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace or check Medicaid eligibility to close this remaining gap.
Nodaway County's composite risk score of 45.58 places it in the relatively low risk category, performing slightly below Missouri's state average of 50.56. The county's primary hazard is tornado risk at 75.32, which elevates exposure despite otherwise manageable hazard levels.
Nodaway ranks below Missouri average
With a composite risk score of 45.58, Nodaway County performs better than Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the safer counties statewide. However, its tornado risk of 75.32 reminds residents that below-average overall risk does not mean immunity from severe weather events.
Nodaway safer than some northwest peers
Nodaway County's composite risk score of 45.58 is lower than Worth County to the north, reflecting somewhat better overall hazard profiles. Tornado risk remains relatively consistent across this northwest region, though Nodaway avoids the extreme earthquake exposure found in some neighboring counties.
Tornadoes the primary concern
Tornado risk dominates Nodaway County at 75.32, substantially higher than the county's other hazard exposures and reflecting the Midwest's seasonal severe weather patterns. Residents should maintain storm shelters and monitor spring and fall weather forecasts closely during peak tornado season.
Prioritize severe weather preparedness
Nodaway County homeowners should ensure their insurance covers tornado damage and consider basement or interior room reinforcement for added safety. Regular maintenance of weather alert systems and family emergency plans are equally critical given the county's tornado exposure.