Pettis County's composite score of 73.6 ranks 47% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating competitive livability by U.S. standards. This performance reflects balanced tax efficiency and affordable housing.
2 / 5
Just shy of Missouri median
At 73.6, Pettis County falls slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it near the state's middle tier. It represents a fairly typical livability profile for Missouri counties.
3 / 5
Balanced tax and cost profile
Pettis County posts a tax score of 80.3 with an effective tax rate of 0.780%, combined with a cost score of 81.3 and median home values of $161,500. The income score of 22.7 with median household income of $60,232 provides moderate earning power.
4 / 5
Moderate rental costs, incomplete picture
Median gross rent of $863/month sits in the mid-to-higher range within this group, potentially challenging affordability for renters. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available.
5 / 5
Solid middle ground for homeowners
Pettis County appeals to homeowners with modest incomes seeking reasonable tax rates and stable housing values. It offers balanced, unremarkable Midwestern livability—neither a standout nor a struggle.
Pettis County's composite score of 73.6 ranks 47% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating competitive livability by U.S. standards. This performance reflects balanced tax efficiency and affordable housing.
Just shy of Missouri median
At 73.6, Pettis County falls slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it near the state's middle tier. It represents a fairly typical livability profile for Missouri counties.
Balanced tax and cost profile
Pettis County posts a tax score of 80.3 with an effective tax rate of 0.780%, combined with a cost score of 81.3 and median home values of $161,500. The income score of 22.7 with median household income of $60,232 provides moderate earning power.
Moderate rental costs, incomplete picture
Median gross rent of $863/month sits in the mid-to-higher range within this group, potentially challenging affordability for renters. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available.
Solid middle ground for homeowners
Pettis County appeals to homeowners with modest incomes seeking reasonable tax rates and stable housing values. It offers balanced, unremarkable Midwestern livability—neither a standout nor a struggle.
Score breakdown
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🏛80.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pettis County's effective tax rate of 0.780% slightly exceeds the national median of 0.91%, positioning it slightly above-average for U.S. counties. Residents pay $1,259 annually on median property valued at $161,500—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690.
Pettis ranks above Missouri's statewide rate
At 0.780%, Pettis County's effective tax rate runs about 6% higher than Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's higher-tax areas. The $1,259 median property tax exceeds Missouri's median by $60, reflecting slightly elevated local tax pressure.
Pettis leans higher in central Missouri
Pettis County's 0.780% rate runs noticeably higher than neighboring Saline and Henry counties in central Missouri. Homebuyers in the region should expect notably steeper tax obligations in Pettis compared to immediately adjacent jurisdictions.
Annual property taxes in Pettis County
On Pettis's median home value of $161,500, homeowners pay approximately $1,259 yearly in property tax. With mortgage and other considerations factored in, total tax obligations reach $1,313—running about $110 monthly.
Appeal if assessment seems inflated
In above-average tax counties like Pettis, assessment accuracy becomes especially important; even small reductions yield meaningful annual savings. File a reassessment request with your county assessor if comparable sales suggest your home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth.
Pettis County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national baseline, with renters spending more than one-sixth of their $60,232 median income on rent monthly. The county's $863 median rent—among the region's highest—pushes affordability toward the challenging range despite moderate income levels.
Above Missouri Average, Above-Average Rents
Pettis County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average, and its median rent of $863 ranks well above the state average of $768. The county represents a higher-cost housing market requiring stronger incomes than most Missouri counties.
Pettis Competes with Perry on Price
Pettis County's $863 rent trails only Perry County's $923, yet its $60,232 median income lags both Newton ($64,583) and Osage ($75,355) by meaningful margins. This positions Pettis as one of the region's pricier markets on more modest incomes than peers.
Higher Rents Strain Moderate Incomes
Renters in Pettis County spend $863 monthly—17.2% of their $60,232 median income—while homeowners commit $761, consuming 15.1% of household earnings. Both figures exceed comfortable affordability thresholds, leaving limited financial cushion for non-housing expenses.
Pettis Works for Income-Growing Relocators
Pettis County suits relocators confident their income will grow beyond the $60,232 county median within 1-2 years of moving, reducing housing burden below 15%. If your prospective income matches or trails the county average, compare more affordable neighbors like Newton or Osage before committing.
Pettis County's median household income of $60,232 falls 19.5% below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties for household earnings.
Slightly above Missouri state average
Pettis County households earn $60,232 annually, exceeding Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 1.2%. This places Pettis County near the middle of Missouri's 114 counties for income.
Mid-tier earner in regional context
Pettis County's $60,232 median trails Newton County ($64,583) and Perry County ($63,356) but outperforms Nodaway County ($55,970). The county's per capita income of $30,954 ranks in the middle range of the eight counties analyzed.
Rent-to-income ratio nearing caution
Pettis County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% indicates moderate housing stress, approaching levels that limit discretionary spending. The median home value of $161,500 requires careful financial planning for households at the county median income.
Build savings with steady income
Pettis County households with average-to-slightly-above-average income can create wealth through disciplined planning. Starting emergency funds, maximizing employer retirement benefits, and exploring low-cost investment options are practical steps toward financial stability.
Pettis County life expectancy slightly exceeds U.S. average
Pettis County residents live 74.7 years on average—slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years but 0.4 years above Missouri's 74.3-year baseline. With 19.6% reporting poor or fair health (above the national 18.5%), Pettis faces modest health headwinds typical of Midwest manufacturing regions.
Pettis holds steady at Missouri's midline
Pettis County's 74.7-year life expectancy sits just above Missouri's 74.3-year average, placing it in the state's middle tier for health performance. The 19.6% poor/fair health rate indicates room for improvement but reflects manageable challenges compared to more distressed counties.
Pettis County leads in primary care access
Pettis County's 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is the highest in this analysis, exceeding all neighbors and ensuring strong preventive care capacity. With 124 mental health providers per 100,000, Pettis also excels in behavioral health access, supporting comprehensive primary and specialty care.
Pettis uninsured rate slightly exceeds state norm
At 14.0%, Pettis County's uninsured rate exceeds Missouri's 12.5% average by 1.5 percentage points, affecting roughly 3,600 residents without coverage. Despite excellent provider availability, this uninsured segment faces barriers to accessing Pettis's well-resourced healthcare system.
Pettis residents: your providers await coverage
Pettis County has invested in an exceptionally strong healthcare workforce, but thousands lack insurance to access it. If you're uninsured, the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid options are designed to connect you with Pettis's excellent primary and mental health providers.
Pettis County's composite risk score of 61.96 rates as relatively low but exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, reflecting above-average natural disaster exposure. The county faces elevated tornado risk at 80.47 and flood risk at 60.31, making severe weather a significant concern.
Pettis ranks above state average
Pettis County's composite risk score of 61.96 exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by a notable margin, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Tornado and flood risks drive this elevated profile, with tornado risk of 80.47 ranking among the highest statewide.
Pettis riskier than most central neighbors
Pettis County's composite risk score of 61.96 exceeds adjacent Osage, Moniteau, and Cole counties, making it notably more vulnerable to natural disasters. The county's tornado risk of 80.47 particularly stands out in the central Missouri region as a significant regional hazard.
Tornadoes and floods top concerns
Pettis County's tornado risk of 80.47 ranks among Missouri's highest, with spring and fall seasons posing peak danger to residents and structures. Flood risk at 60.31 creates secondary but significant exposure, particularly for properties near major waterways or in flood-prone terrain.
Comprehensive severe weather coverage essential
Pettis County homeowners must prioritize tornado coverage and consider basement or storm shelter installation given the county's high tornado risk. Flood insurance should also be verified or obtained for properties in or near floodplains, as standard homeowner policies typically exclude water damage.