CountyScore

Ozark County

Missouri · MO

#32 in Missouri
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Ozark County, Missouri

Ozark County leads in affordability value

Ozark County's composite score of 79.7 ranks 59% above the national median of 50.0, standing among the nation's most livable counties. This exceptional score is driven primarily by some of the lowest tax and housing costs in the nation.

Missouri's top livability score

At 79.7, Ozark County ranks highest among all eight counties profiled and significantly above Missouri's state average of 74.8. It represents the peak of livability for cost-conscious Missourians.

Unmatched cost efficiency

Ozark County posts the highest cost score of 89.8 and highest tax score of 89.2, with an extraordinarily low effective tax rate of 0.466% and median home values of $156,400. Median gross rent of $626/month is the cheapest among all eight counties.

Income remains the constraint

The income score of 11.0 with median household income of $42,329 is among the state's lowest, reflecting limited job market dynamism. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are unavailable.

Champion choice for minimal cost

Ozark County is unbeatable for those prioritizing rock-bottom living costs and tax burden above all other factors. It's perfect for retirees, remote workers, and anyone seeking maximum financial independence on limited income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.2Cost89.8SafetyComing SoonHealth54.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome11Risk64.3WaterComing Soon
🏛89.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.3
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 Ozark County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $50,951
Winston County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
Arkansas
72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Ozark County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ozark County

via TaxByCounty

Ozark County: ultra-low national standing

Ozark County's effective tax rate of 0.466% ranks among America's lowest, sitting dramatically below the national median of 0.91%. Homeowners pay $728 annually on a median home worth $156,400—barely 27% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Ozark ranks second-lowest in Missouri

Ozark County's 0.466% effective rate ranks among Missouri's most tax-friendly jurisdictions, well below the statewide average of 0.733%. The $728 median property tax represents 61% of Missouri's median, making Ozark an exceptional bargain for rural property owners.

Ozark edges out nearby Howell and Ripley

Ozark's 0.466% rate ties Oregon County for the state's lowest tax burden, outpacing neighboring Ripley and Howell counties in the Ozark region. Residents enjoy some of southern Missouri's most favorable property tax conditions.

Minimal yearly taxes in Ozark County

On Ozark's median home value of $156,400, property owners pay approximately $728 annually in property tax—less than $61 per month. Even accounting for mortgage obligations, the total climbs to just $801, offering exceptional affordability.

Verify fair assessment in rural Ozark

Rural counties like Ozark sometimes experience assessment inconsistencies due to sparse comparable sales data. Review your assessment carefully against similar properties in your township; an appeal can eliminate errors and protect your already-minimal tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ozark County

via CostByCounty

Ozark County: Below National Affordability

Ozark County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national baseline, as renters dedicate nearly one-fifth of their $42,329 median income to housing costs. The county's bargain-basement rent of $626 per month provides only limited relief when household incomes fall this far below national averages.

Among Missouri's Most Challenged Markets

Ozark County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average, ranking the county among the state's least affordable despite having among its cheapest rents. The county's primary challenge is income scarcity, not housing cost inflation.

Cheapest Rent Can't Offset Low Income

Ozark County's $626 rent is the region's lowest, yet its $42,329 median income matches Oregon County's crisis level and trails peers by $10,000-33,000. Low housing costs alone cannot solve an income problem that affects all aspects of household financial security.

Limited Budgets After Housing Costs

Renters in Ozark County spend $626 monthly on rent—17.8% of their $42,329 income—while homeowners commit $494, consuming 14% and leaving tight margins for non-housing expenses. Despite ownership's lower cost, both groups face constrained household budgets.

Ozark County Requires Income Strategy

Ozark County's ultra-low rents ($626) appeal only if you're relocating to employment substantially above the $42,329 county median, ideally $55,000+. Without a concrete, high-paying job opportunity, the county's cheap housing masks underlying affordability challenges.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ozark County

via IncomeByCounty

Ozark income falls well short nationally

Ozark County's median household income of $42,329 trails the national median of $74,755 by 43.4%. The county ranks in the lowest quartile of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Bottom tier in Missouri income ranking

Ozark County households earn $42,329 annually, $17,174 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. This places Ozark County among the lowest-earning counties in the state.

Income challenges across the region

Ozark County's $42,329 median is comparable to Oregon County ($44,259) and trails Perry County ($63,356) significantly. The county's per capita income of $29,824 reflects widespread economic challenges in the southern Ozark region.

Housing burden limits household savings

Ozark County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% places moderate stress on renters, reducing money available for other necessities. The median home value of $156,400 represents a significant stretch for households earning the county median.

Strategic planning essential for savings

Ozark County residents must prioritize careful budgeting to build financial security despite limited median income. Exploring low-cost saving options, community programs, and incremental investment approaches can help households create stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ozark County

via HealthByCounty

Ozark County health crisis demands urgent action

Ozark County residents live only 74.1 years—2 years below the U.S. average and matching Missouri's depressed baseline. Worst in this analysis, 27.5% of Ozark residents report poor or fair health, indicating widespread chronic disease and healthcare desperation.

Ozark ranks among Missouri's most distressed

At 74.1 years, Ozark County barely matches Missouri's average life expectancy and lags its own state by three-tenths of a year—a statistical mirror of systemic struggle. The 27.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's absolute worst, signaling compounding crises in economy, access, and behavior.

Ozark severely lacks healthcare providers

Ozark County has just 11 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in this analysis, comparable only to Newton's shortage. At 11 mental health providers per 100,000, Ozark faces a behavioral health desert, leaving residents unable to access psychiatric care or counseling services.

Nearly 1 in 6 Ozark residents uninsured and alone

Ozark County's 15.6% uninsured rate is the highest in this analysis, affecting roughly 2,400 residents with no coverage safety net. Combined with catastrophic provider shortages, this creates a triple crisis: no money for care, nowhere to go, and no help once there.

Ozark County: coverage is critical now

If you're uninsured in Ozark County, health insurance is not a luxury—it's a lifeline protecting you from medical bankruptcy and connecting you to limited providers. Call 1-855-Missouri1 or visit the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace today to secure coverage that could save your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ozark County

via RiskByCounty

Ozark County ranks very low for risk

Ozark County's composite risk score of 35.72 rates as very low and sits substantially below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This favorable standing reflects relatively modest hazard exposure across most natural disaster types, making Ozark a lower-risk location overall.

Ozark sits well below state average

Ozark County's composite risk score of 35.72 places it well below Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking it among the state's safer counties. The county avoids extreme exposure in any single hazard category, creating a balanced and generally favorable risk profile.

Ozark safer than many surrounding areas

Ozark County's composite risk score of 35.72 compares favorably to neighboring Douglas and Taney counties, reflecting a more protected risk environment. The county's moderate earthquake risk of 64.66 and wildfire risk of 60.75 remain below state averages despite the Ozark region's natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire and earthquake moderate concerns

Ozark County's highest risks are wildfire at 60.75 and earthquake at 64.66, both moderate and below state averages, reflecting the county's Ozark region location. Tornado risk at 51.84 rounds out the hazard profile, creating a diversified but manageable overall exposure.

Balance coverage across multiple hazards

Ozark County homeowners should ensure standard coverage for tornado and earthquake damage while maintaining wildfire protection for properties near forested areas. The county's favorable overall risk profile doesn't eliminate the need for basic preparedness and appropriate insurance endorsements.

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.