Osage County's composite score of 79.4 ranks 59% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the nation's most livable counties. This exceptional ranking reflects a rare combination of affordability, low taxes, and solid incomes.
2 / 5
Tops among Missouri counties
At 79.4, Osage County outperforms Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking among the state's highest-scoring counties. It represents the gold standard of Missouri livability across these measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Balanced prosperity and affordability
Osage County delivers a tax score of 85.6 (0.594% effective rate), cost score of 86.4 with median home values of $205,700, and an income score of 32.6 backed by a median household income of $75,355. This is the only county in this group achieving both strong income and affordability.
4 / 5
Data gaps limit full picture
While Osage County excels in tax, cost, and income dimensions, safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable. These missing metrics prevent a complete assessment of overall livability.
5 / 5
Sweet spot for working families
Osage County suits families seeking the rare combination of good income opportunities, low taxes, and affordable housing. It's Missouri's strongest offering for building wealth while maintaining a reasonable cost of living.
Osage County's composite score of 79.4 ranks 59% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the nation's most livable counties. This exceptional ranking reflects a rare combination of affordability, low taxes, and solid incomes.
Tops among Missouri counties
At 79.4, Osage County outperforms Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking among the state's highest-scoring counties. It represents the gold standard of Missouri livability across these measured dimensions.
Balanced prosperity and affordability
Osage County delivers a tax score of 85.6 (0.594% effective rate), cost score of 86.4 with median home values of $205,700, and an income score of 32.6 backed by a median household income of $75,355. This is the only county in this group achieving both strong income and affordability.
Data gaps limit full picture
While Osage County excels in tax, cost, and income dimensions, safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable. These missing metrics prevent a complete assessment of overall livability.
Sweet spot for working families
Osage County suits families seeking the rare combination of good income opportunities, low taxes, and affordable housing. It's Missouri's strongest offering for building wealth while maintaining a reasonable cost of living.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Osage County's effective tax rate of 0.594% falls well below the national median of 0.91%, placing it in the bottom half of U.S. counties for tax burden. Though homes here average $205,700—closer to the national median—residents pay just $1,222 annually, roughly 45% of the national median tax of $2,690.
Osage ranks below Missouri's statewide average
At 0.594%, Osage County's effective tax rate runs about 19% lower than Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%. The median property tax of $1,222 nearly matches the state median of $1,199, offering slightly better-than-average value for mid-priced homes.
Osage offers competitive rates regionally
Osage County's 0.594% rate sits between neighboring Cole and Montgomery counties in central Missouri, positioning it as a moderate-tax locale in the region. For families prioritizing tax efficiency, Osage presents solid middle ground among central Missouri options.
Osage homeowner annual tax bill
A typical Osage resident with a $205,700 home pays approximately $1,222 in annual property tax. Adding mortgage and other assessed costs brings the total to $1,272—a reasonable burden for central Missouri property values.
Appeal overassessments in Osage County
Properties in Osage County undergo regular reassessment cycles; homeowners should compare their assessment to recent comparable sales in the neighborhood. If your assessed value exceeds similar homes' market prices, file a reassessment appeal with your local assessor to reduce your tax obligation.
Osage County's rent-to-income ratio of just 10.3% ranks among Missouri's most affordable housing markets, well below the national baseline and allowing renters to dedicate minimal income to housing. With a median household income of $75,355—exceeding the national average—the county offers genuine housing security.
Missouri's Most Accessible Housing Market
Osage County's 10.3% rent-to-income ratio substantially outperforms Missouri's 15.6% state average, positioning it as the county's most housing-affordable option. The combination of strong median income and reasonable housing costs creates a rare affordability sweet spot within Missouri.
Income Advantage Drives Osage's Affordability
Osage County's $644 rent is the region's lowest, and its $75,355 median income is the region's highest—a powerful dual advantage that creates unmatched affordability. Even Newton County's $777 rent consumes proportionally more income due to Osage's superior earning power.
Housing That Won't Break Your Budget
Renters spend just $644 monthly on rent while homeowners commit $698, consuming only 10.3% and 11.1% of the $75,355 median income respectively. These figures leave substantial room in household budgets for savings, transportation, and quality-of-life investments.
Osage County Rewards the Prepared Mover
If you can secure employment near Osage County's median income of $75,355 or higher, you'll land in Missouri's most housing-affordable county with real financial breathing room. Compare Osage's 10.3% housing burden against your current county to quantify your affordability gain.
Osage County's median household income of $75,355 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 0.8%. The county ranks in the upper half of U.S. counties for household earnings.
Top earner among Missouri counties
Osage County households earn $75,355 annually, exceeding Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 26.6%. This places Osage County in the top tier of Missouri's 114 counties for median household income.
Clear income leader in region
Osage County's $75,355 median significantly outperforms all surrounding counties, including Newton County ($64,583) and Perry County ($63,356). The county's per capita income of $41,107 is the highest among the eight counties analyzed.
Exceptional housing affordability
Osage County's rent-to-income ratio of just 10.3% ranks well below the national affordability threshold of 30%, offering exceptional housing value. The median home value of $205,700 is highly achievable for households earning the county median.
Leverage strong income for investing
With above-average income and excellent housing affordability, Osage County households have real capacity to build wealth. Establishing diversified investments, retirement contributions, and long-term savings plans can accelerate financial growth.
Osage County residents live 77.9 years on average—1.8 years longer than the U.S. average and 3.6 years above Missouri's 74.3-year baseline. Only 16.5% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate among our comparison counties, signaling strong overall health outcomes.
Osage ranks in Missouri's healthiest tier
At 77.9 years life expectancy, Osage County outperforms Missouri's state average by 3.6 years and sits comfortably in the state's top tier. Its 16.5% poor/fair health rate and 9.0% uninsured rate (lowest in this group) reflect strong economic conditions and healthcare access.
Osage leads in primary care access
With 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Osage County exceeds several neighbors, though it lags behind Pettis (56) and Pemiscot (39). Mental health capacity at 15 per 100,000 is relatively modest, representing a modest growth opportunity for behavioral health services.
Osage's low uninsured rate drives health equity
Just 9.0% of Osage County residents lack health insurance—the lowest rate in this analysis and well below Missouri's 12.5% average. This coverage rate directly supports Osage's exceptional life expectancy and low poor/fair health rate, demonstrating the power of broad insurance access.
Help Osage's remaining uninsured get protected
While Osage leads the region in health coverage, roughly 1,300 residents still lack insurance and face significant health risks. Encourage uninsured neighbors to explore the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace to complete Osage County's insurance coverage and maintain its health leadership.
Osage County's composite risk score of 32.92 rates as very low and sits well below both Missouri's state average of 50.56 and the national average. This favorable profile reflects relatively modest exposure across all hazard types, making Osage one of Missouri's safest counties for natural disaster risk.
Osage ranks among Missouri's safest
With a composite risk score of 32.92, Osage County ranks significantly below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. No single hazard type dominates Osage's profile, creating a balanced and generally favorable risk environment.
Osage safer than surrounding counties
Osage County's composite risk score of 32.92 is notably lower than adjacent Montgomery and Cole counties, reflecting a safer overall hazard profile. The county's moderate tornado risk of 53.56 remains below regional averages, contributing to its favorable standing.
Earthquake risk edges above other hazards
Osage County's highest individual risk is earthquake at 55.92, still moderate and below state averages, followed by flood risk at 47.52. This balanced hazard profile means residents face no single overwhelming threat, though preparedness remains prudent.
Maintain standard coverage and awareness
Osage County residents benefit from the county's favorable risk profile but should still maintain comprehensive homeowner insurance covering tornado, flood, and earthquake damage. Regular property inspections and emergency preparedness planning remain wise practices regardless of low-risk status.