CountyScore

Pike County

Missouri · MO

#42 in Missouri
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Pike County, Missouri

Significantly Outperforms National Standard

Pike County achieves a 75.8 composite score, 52% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong overall livability. The county's performance reflects consistent strength across multiple economic dimensions.

Among Missouri's Top Performers

Pike County's 75.8 score exceeds the state average of 74.8, positioning it in Missouri's upper echelon of livable counties. This ranking reflects competitive tax rates and housing affordability relative to state peers.

Affordability Champion with Low Taxes

Pike County leads with a 85.8 cost score—the highest among the eight counties—with median home values of just $129,400 and rents at $742/month. A 80.7 tax score and 0.768% effective tax rate further enhance the county's budget-friendly appeal.

Modest Income Levels Constrain Growth

An income score of 21.0 and median household income of $57,572 indicate limited earning potential in Pike County. Like peers in this cohort, the county lacks comprehensive data on health, schools, and safety—factors prospective residents should investigate independently.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Newcomers

Pike County is best suited for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing overall quality of life. The combination of low housing costs and manageable taxes makes it an excellent value proposition for those not dependent on local job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome21Risk59.7WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.7
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 Pike County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Pike County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pike County

via TaxByCounty

Pike County taxes well below national median

Pike County's effective tax rate of 0.768% is significantly lower than the national norm, with homeowners paying just $994 in median annual property taxes versus $2,690 nationally. This means Pike County residents enjoy one of the lowest tax burdens for homeowners across the United States.

Mid-range property taxes for Missouri

Pike County's 0.768% effective rate sits slightly above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, yet its median tax bill of $994 remains notably below the state median of $1,199. The county offers a mixed picture: a marginally higher rate offset by lower home values.

Higher taxes than nearby counties

Pike County's 0.768% effective rate is notably higher than Phelps County's 0.640% and Polk County's 0.581%, though lower than Platte County's 1.060%. The county ranks among the higher-tax areas in its immediate region.

What $129,400 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $129,400 pays approximately $994 in annual property taxes in Pike County. With a mortgage, that bill increases to $1,076; without one, it falls to $912.

Appeal your assessment if needed

Pike County homeowners should verify their property assessments are accurate, as overassessments are common and can inflate tax bills unnecessarily. Contact your county assessor if your assessed value doesn't match recent comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pike County

via CostByCounty

Pike keeps housing costs lean

Pike County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits right at Missouri's state average and beats the national norm, meaning renters here enjoy genuine affordability. Median household income of $57,572 stays close to the state, but lower rents—$742/month—keep the housing burden light.

Missouri's affordable sweet spot

Pike County ranks among Missouri's more affordable counties with a 15.5% rent-to-income ratio, nearly matching the state benchmark of 15.6%. At this level, housing takes a reasonable share of income, leaving room for other essentials.

The budget option in central Missouri

Pike's $742 median rent undercuts Phelps ($801) and trails Ralls ($765) only slightly, making it one of the cheapest rental markets in this region. Homebuyers face median values near $129,400, the lowest among immediate neighbors, amplifying Pike's bargain appeal.

Renting and owning both fit the budget

Renters pay $742/month (15.5% of income) while homeowners spend $615/month (12.8% of income), making Pike exceptional for affordability across both categories. The gap suggests strong homeownership value, with owner costs dramatically lower than rent.

Pike is a mover's smart play

If affordability drives your decision, Pike County delivers some of Missouri's lowest rents and lowest home values, freeing cash for savings or life goals. Compare it directly with Putnam County, which rivals Pike's affordability, to pick your perfect fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pike County

via IncomeByCounty

Pike trails the national income bar

Pike County's median household income of $57,572 remains 23% below the national median of $74,755. While the shortfall is slightly smaller than some rural peers, households here still earn meaningfully less than the typical U.S. family.

Middle ground in Missouri

Pike County sits slightly below Missouri's state average of $59,503, ranking in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Per capita income of $27,443 lags the state's $31,011, suggesting concentrated earning power in fewer households.

Part of a rural income corridor

Pike County ($57,572) edges out Phelps ($55,427) and Polk ($56,686) but falls behind Platte County's exceptional $95,748. Ralls County ($62,054) and Putnam County ($56,875) offer useful benchmarks for the wider region's modest but stable income base.

Affordable housing supports stability

Pike County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% is among the healthiest in this cluster, indicating housing costs consume a lean portion of earnings. The median home value of $129,400 is also the lowest in the region, requiring roughly 2.2 years of median income to purchase.

Leverage Pike's affordability

Pike County's lower home prices create a genuine opportunity for wealth-building through homeownership. With household income of $57,572, residents can realistically save for a down payment while exploring mortgage programs and tax-advantaged retirement accounts to accelerate long-term financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pike County

via HealthByCounty

Pike County outpaces national life expectancy

At 75.5 years, Pike County residents live 2.6 years longer than the U.S. average despite facing significant health challenges. However, one in five report poor or fair health status, nearly double the national rate.

Middling health outcomes statewide

Pike County's 75.5-year life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.2 years. Yet the county's 21.4% poor/fair health rate suggests underlying vulnerabilities that life expectancy alone doesn't capture.

Severe provider shortage regionally

Pike County has only 17 primary care providers per 100K residents—a critical shortage compared to Phelps County's 82 or Platte County's 81. Mental health services at 73 per 100K are equally strained, the lowest among neighboring counties.

13.1% uninsured in underserved area

Pike County's uninsured rate of 13.1% exceeds the state average of 12.5%, and limited provider access means uninsured residents face longer waits. Residents often travel to neighboring counties for specialized care.

Bridge the insurance gap in Pike County

With 13.1% of residents uninsured, Pike County benefits from accessible coverage pathways. Explore Medicaid eligibility, ACA plans, and community health centers by visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pike County

via RiskByCounty

Pike County ranks very low nationally

Pike County's composite risk score of 40.30 places it well below the national average, earning a very low risk rating overall. This favorable position reflects relatively modest exposure across most major hazard types, from tornadoes (37.95) to hurricanes (22.15).

Missouri's safest counties

Pike County's score of 40.30 sits significantly below Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. This resilience positions Pike among the safest places in Missouri for natural disaster exposure.

Safest among regional peers

Pike County (40.30) enjoys notably lower risk than nearby Phelps County (53.72) and Pulaski County (60.53), making it the safest county in its immediate region. Even compared to Randolph County (35.85), Pike maintains a solid low-risk standing with more balanced hazard exposure.

Earthquake risk tops modest threats

Pike County's highest risk comes from earthquakes at 62.69, though this remains below the state average for earthquake exposure. Flood risk (45.13) and wildfire risk (41.95) are secondary concerns, with tornado (37.95) and hurricane (22.15) risks substantially below state norms.

Standard coverage protects Pike County

A standard homeowners policy with earthquake endorsement provides adequate protection for Pike County residents facing minimal natural disaster risk. Flood insurance is optional but recommended for properties in mapped flood zones, though county-wide flood exposure remains low.

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.