With a composite score of 77.9, Oregon County ranks 56% higher than the national median of 50.0, demonstrating exceptional livability by national standards. This strong performance is anchored by exceptional tax and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Missouri's affordability leader
Oregon County's 77.9 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it one of the state's most livable counties by composite measure. It stands out for value-oriented living in a Midwestern context.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes, most affordable housing
Oregon County shines with a tax score of 88.0 and the state's lowest effective tax rate of 0.509%, paired with a cost score of 86.8 and median home values of just $117,700. Monthly gross rent of $735 extends affordability to renters.
4 / 5
Limited income opportunities
The income score of 12.3 reflects a median household income of $44,259, the state's lowest among these eight counties, suggesting limited economic dynamism. Health, safety, school, and environmental data are not yet available.
5 / 5
Best for retirees on fixed income
Oregon County is tailor-made for retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax drag. The exceptionally low cost of living makes every dollar stretch further than nearly anywhere else in Missouri.
With a composite score of 77.9, Oregon County ranks 56% higher than the national median of 50.0, demonstrating exceptional livability by national standards. This strong performance is anchored by exceptional tax and housing affordability.
Missouri's affordability leader
Oregon County's 77.9 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it one of the state's most livable counties by composite measure. It stands out for value-oriented living in a Midwestern context.
Lowest taxes, most affordable housing
Oregon County shines with a tax score of 88.0 and the state's lowest effective tax rate of 0.509%, paired with a cost score of 86.8 and median home values of just $117,700. Monthly gross rent of $735 extends affordability to renters.
Limited income opportunities
The income score of 12.3 reflects a median household income of $44,259, the state's lowest among these eight counties, suggesting limited economic dynamism. Health, safety, school, and environmental data are not yet available.
Best for retirees on fixed income
Oregon County is tailor-made for retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax drag. The exceptionally low cost of living makes every dollar stretch further than nearly anywhere else in Missouri.
Score breakdown
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🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Oregon County's effective tax rate of 0.509% ranks among the lowest in the nation, sitting well below the national median of 0.91%. Homeowners pay just $599 annually on median property valued at $117,700—a fraction of the $2,690 national median tax bill.
Oregon ranks as Missouri's most tax-friendly
Oregon County's 0.509% effective rate significantly undercuts Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's most affordable tax jurisdictions. The $599 median property tax is less than half the state median of $1,199, offering exceptional relief to residents.
Oregon outpaces Ozark and Howell County peers
Oregon's ultra-low 0.509% rate beats neighboring Ozark County (0.466%) and virtually all surrounding south-central Missouri counties. Residents here enjoy some of the lowest tax burdens in a rural region traditionally known for affordability.
Minimal annual property taxes in Oregon
Oregon's median homeowner pays just $599 per year in property tax on a home valued at $117,700. Even with mortgage-related expenses factored in, annual tax obligations reach only $668—among Missouri's lowest for any county.
Maximize value in a low-tax county
Even in tax-friendly Oregon County, homeowners should still verify their assessments match current market conditions. A reassessment request costs nothing and could reveal overvaluation, potentially cutting your already-modest tax bill even further.
Oregon County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's least affordable housing markets, as renters dedicate nearly one-fifth of their $44,259 median income to rent alone. This ratio far exceeds the national baseline and signals genuine housing stress for the county's residents.
Missouri's Most Strained Housing Market
Oregon County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio represents one of Missouri's highest affordability pressures, dramatically exceeding the state average of 15.6%. The county ranks among the state's least affordable despite having among its lowest rents, revealing a critical income-to-housing mismatch.
Lowest Rent, Lowest Income, Highest Strain
Oregon County's $735 rent is the region's cheapest, yet its median income of $44,259 is lowest among its peers, creating the worst affordability ratio in the comparison. Both Ozark County and Pemiscot County face similar challenges, but Oregon's income disadvantage amplifies the crisis.
One-Fifth of Income Consumed by Rent
Renters in Oregon County spend $735 monthly on rent—nearly 20% of their $44,259 household income—leaving constrained budgets for food, utilities, and transportation. Homeowners fare somewhat better at $560 monthly, but ownership paths remain limited for those earning this county's median income.
Oregon County Demands Substantial Income Gains
If you're considering Oregon County, honestly assess whether your prospective income will exceed the $44,259 median by at least 25-30%; otherwise, housing will consume a troubling share of your budget. The county's rock-bottom housing costs only matter if you're moving into a higher-paying opportunity.
Oregon County's median household income of $44,259 falls 40.8% below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lowest quartile of U.S. counties for household earnings.
Among Missouri's lowest-income counties
Oregon County households earn $44,259 annually, $15,244 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. This places Oregon County in the bottom tier of Missouri's 114 counties.
Struggling against neighboring counties
Oregon County's $44,259 median falls well below Ozark County ($42,329, similar struggle) and significantly below Perry County ($63,356). The county's per capita income of $23,220 is among the lowest in the Ozark region.
Housing costs strain household budgets
Oregon County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% approaches the 30% affordability threshold, indicating significant housing stress for renters. The median home value of $117,700 may still feel unaffordable for households earning the county median.
Building wealth requires focused strategy
Oregon County residents face real income constraints, making every dollar count in wealth building. Exploring community development programs, financial assistance, and side income opportunities can help households create financial stability.
Oregon County residents live only 71.1 years on average—5 years less than the U.S. average and 3.2 years below Missouri. With 23.9% reporting poor or fair health, Oregon County ranks among Missouri's most challenged counties, signaling urgent public health needs.
Oregon ranks among Missouri's worst health outcomes
Oregon County's 71.1-year life expectancy places it among the lowest in Missouri, well below the state's 74.3-year average. The 23.9% poor/fair health rate—among the state's highest—reflects persistent economic distress and limited healthcare access.
Oregon struggles with provider data gaps
Primary care provider data for Oregon County is not currently available, complicating efforts to assess care access. However, mental health providers at 34 per 100,000 are available but fall short of neighboring counties like Perry (90) and Pemiscot (212), leaving residents with limited behavioral health options.
Uninsured and isolated: Oregon's healthcare reality
Oregon County's 14.5% uninsured rate significantly exceeds Missouri's 12.5% average, affecting roughly 2,600 residents without coverage. The combination of limited provider access and high uninsured rates creates a compounding crisis, leaving many Oregonians unable to address preventive or chronic health needs.
Oregon residents: coverage is within reach
If you're uninsured in Oregon County, visiting the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace or calling 1-855-Missouri1 can connect you with affordable plans and Medicaid options. Securing coverage is the first step toward better health outcomes for you and your family.
Oregon County's composite risk score of 48.70 places it near the national average, but masks a distinctive hazard profile dominated by earthquake risk at 82.44. This elevated seismic exposure, combined with moderate wildfire risk of 60.11, creates a different vulnerability pattern than many U.S. counties.
Oregon ranks slightly below state average
Oregon County's composite risk score of 48.70 sits just below Missouri's state average of 50.56, yet its earthquake risk of 82.44 is among the highest statewide. This unusual seismic threat reflects the county's proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a major fault system spanning multiple states.
Oregon's earthquake risk stands out
Oregon County's earthquake risk of 82.44 substantially exceeds that of nearby Howell and Shannon counties, making it a seismic outlier in the Ozark region. While tornado risk resembles neighbors at 61.99, the earthquake exposure creates a unique risk calculus for property and emergency planning.
Earthquakes and wildfires pose greatest threats
Oregon County faces exceptional earthquake risk at 82.44, the highest hazard in the county and well above most Missouri locations due to New Madrid Seismic Zone proximity. Wildfire risk at 60.11 compounds this exposure, particularly for properties in forested or mountainous areas of the Ozarks.
Earthquake-proof your property
Oregon County homeowners should secure heavy furniture and appliances, brace water heaters, and ensure adequate earthquake insurance coverage or special endorsements. Wildfire exposure demands defensible space maintenance and confirmation that homeowner policies include wildfire protection, especially for rural properties.