CountyScore

Phillips County

Kansas · KS

#65 in Kansas
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Phillips County, Kansas

Phillips Ranks Well Above U.S. Median

Phillips County's composite score of 66.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it solidly in the upper half of American counties. This strong showing reflects consistent performance across the measured dimensions that define livable communities.

Slightly Ahead of Kansas Average

Phillips's score of 66.8 edges past Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 105 counties. This marginal lead indicates Phillips delivers better-than-typical Kansas livability across its scored dimensions.

Exceptional Housing Affordability

Phillips shines with a cost score of 86.9—one of Kansas's best—backed by median homes valued at $94,700 and rents of just $621 monthly. These figures rank among the state's most affordable, offering genuine purchasing power for working families.

Income Lags Behind Affordability

An income score of 23.4 and median household income of $61,235 represent Phillips's softest metric, trailing state norms despite low housing costs. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting the full livability assessment.

Ideal for Rural, Cost-Conscious Residents

Phillips County appeals to remote workers, agricultural professionals, and retirees seeking maximum affordability with solid overall livability. If you value small-town living with minimal housing expenses, Phillips delivers strong value in rural Kansas.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.5Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth68.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk59.5WaterComing Soon
🏛54.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.5
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 Phillips County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Phillips County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Phillips County

via TaxByCounty

Phillips below national property tax median

Phillips County's effective rate of 1.697% sits well below the national median of 1.549%, placing residents in the favorable 40th percentile for property tax burden nationwide. This means most American homeowners pay a higher percentage of home value in taxes.

Among Kansas's lower-tax counties

At 1.697%, Phillips County ranks below the Kansas state average of 1.549% in effective rate, with a median property tax of $1,607—$336 less than the statewide median of $1,943. This positions Phillips as one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state.

Competitive regional tax environment

Phillips's 1.697% rate matches Republic County exactly, and trails both Pawnee County (1.789%) and Pratt County (1.763%). Among northwestern Kansas counties, Phillips offers more modest tax obligations than several neighbors.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Phillips County home valued at $94,700 generates roughly $1,607 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that amount rises to $1,949; without one, it drops to $1,372.

Review your assessment today

Many Kansas homeowners pay more than they should due to outdated assessments. If your property tax seems high relative to comparable homes, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reduce your burden—and the process is free.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phillips County

via CostByCounty

Phillips offers rare Kansas affordability bargain

Phillips County residents spend just 12.2% of income on rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold and notably better than Kansas's 14.7% state average. Despite a median household income of $61,235, which trails the national median of $74,755, Phillips delivers some of the best housing value in the state.

Among Kansas's most affordable counties

Phillips County ranks as one of Kansas's most affordable housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 2.5 percentage points. Its $621 monthly rent is the lowest among the counties in this region, attracting budget-conscious renters.

Lowest rents in the comparison set

Phillips County's $621 rent significantly undercuts all neighboring counties in this analysis, from Pawnee ($806) to Republic ($638). Owner costs of $690 also rank among the region's most affordable, making Phillips a standout value play.

Rent-friendly with low home values

Renters in Phillips County dedicate about $621 monthly to housing, while homeowners invest $690 per month on ownership costs with median home values of $94,700. Both pathways consume well under 15% of the median household income, leaving more room in household budgets.

Remote workers should explore Phillips

If housing costs are your biggest relocation concern, Phillips County delivers exceptional affordability combined with lower income requirements than most U.S. counties. Pair it with remote work income and you'll find extraordinary financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phillips County

via IncomeByCounty

Phillips lags behind national income

Phillips County's median household income of $61,235 falls roughly $13,500 short of the national median of $74,755. This represents one of the steeper gaps among Kansas counties, reflecting the economic challenges of rural northwestern plains communities.

Below-average income in Kansas

Phillips County ranks below Kansas's median household income of $64,428, placing it in the lower third of the state's counties. The per capita income of $34,887 closely matches the state average of $34,748, suggesting income is fairly distributed across the population.

Among the lower earners regionally

Phillips County's $61,235 median household income ranks among the lowest in its region, with only Republic County ($53,611) earning less nearby. Rawlins ($65,000) and Pawnee ($63,625) counties outpace Phillips, highlighting economic disparities across northwestern Kansas.

Excellent housing affordability

Phillips County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this group at 12.2%, meaning residents dedicate just over one-tenth of earnings to rent. This exceptional affordability is bolstered by median home values of $94,700, making housing one of the county's economic strengths despite modest overall incomes.

Leverage affordable living to invest

With housing costs consuming less than 13% of income, Phillips County residents have significant capacity to save and invest. Build an emergency fund, explore employer retirement plans, and consider working with a financial counselor to develop a personalized wealth strategy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Phillips County

via HealthByCounty

Phillips slightly outpaces nation on longevity

Phillips County residents live to 75.8 years, just above the U.S. average of 75.4 years. However, 16.6% report poor or fair health—notably higher than the national median, signaling underlying health challenges.

Uninsured rate tops state average

Phillips County's 12.3% uninsured rate exceeds Kansas's state average of 11.5%, and its life expectancy of 75.8 years barely edges the state average of 75.4. Health coverage gaps are more pronounced here than statewide.

Severe shortage of primary care doctors

Phillips County has just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than a quarter of Pawnee County's 96 and well below rural adequacy benchmarks. Mental health providers are similarly scarce at 210 per 100,000, leaving residents traveling far for specialists.

One in eight residents lacks insurance

With 12.3% uninsured, more than 1 in 8 Phillips County residents have no health coverage. The acute shortage of primary care providers means even insured residents may wait weeks for routine appointments or travel 30+ miles for care.

Explore coverage before a health crisis hits

Phillips County residents can enroll in marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or check Medicaid eligibility through the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Starting coverage now prevents costly emergency-room visits and connects you to available local providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phillips County

via RiskByCounty

Phillips County: slightly elevated but still low risk

Phillips County's composite risk score of 40.52 places it above Kansas's state average of 29.89 and in the Very Low national risk category. Despite this above-average rating, the county remains safer than most U.S. counties when it comes to natural disaster exposure.

Upper-middle Kansas county for disaster risk

Among Kansas counties, Phillips ranks higher than average, driven primarily by wildfire and tornado hazards scoring 58.27 and 56.52 respectively. The county sits in the top tier for non-flood, non-earthquake perils across the state.

Riskier than Rawlins, safer than Pratt

Phillips County's 40.52 composite risk sits between Rawlins County (4.83) and Pratt County (54.83), reflecting moderate exposure to the region's characteristic storm and fire hazards. Its wildfire score of 58.27 is notably higher than Rawlins's 36.77.

Wildfire and tornado threats are substantial

Wildfires emerge as the leading hazard with a risk score of 58.27, followed closely by tornadoes at 56.52—both well above the county's composite average. Flood risk is low at 20.01, and earthquake activity is minimal at 18.48.

Bundle wind, fire, and storm coverage

Phillips County homeowners should ensure comprehensive coverage for tornado damage and wildfire risk, with particular emphasis on roof and structural protection. Defensible space around your home—clearing brush and dead vegetation—is essential given the elevated wildfire exposure in this region.

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.