Prowers County scores 79.4 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and among the highest-scoring counties in this Colorado sample. The county delivers strong fundamentals in both tax burden and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Colorado's top performer for value
With a score of 79.4, Prowers County ranks above Colorado's state average of 71.8 and is the second-highest scoring county in this group. The county excels at combining low taxes with genuinely affordable housing.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and most affordable housing
Prowers County leads with a tax score of 93.1 (effective rate of 0.327%) and a cost score of 83.7, with median home values of just $150,900 and rent at $741 per month. This combination delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious families.
4 / 5
Lower incomes and limited economic opportunity
The county's income score of 21.0 reflects a median household income of $57,601, below most peers. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available to assess broader livability dimensions.
5 / 5
Perfect for frugal retirees and remote workers
Prowers County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families who can access income from outside the county while enjoying minimal taxes and housing costs. Local economic opportunities may be limited.
Prowers County scores 79.4 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and among the highest-scoring counties in this Colorado sample. The county delivers strong fundamentals in both tax burden and housing affordability.
Colorado's top performer for value
With a score of 79.4, Prowers County ranks above Colorado's state average of 71.8 and is the second-highest scoring county in this group. The county excels at combining low taxes with genuinely affordable housing.
Lowest taxes and most affordable housing
Prowers County leads with a tax score of 93.1 (effective rate of 0.327%) and a cost score of 83.7, with median home values of just $150,900 and rent at $741 per month. This combination delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious families.
Lower incomes and limited economic opportunity
The county's income score of 21.0 reflects a median household income of $57,601, below most peers. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available to assess broader livability dimensions.
Perfect for frugal retirees and remote workers
Prowers County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families who can access income from outside the county while enjoying minimal taxes and housing costs. Local economic opportunities may be limited.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛93.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Prowers County's effective tax rate of 0.327% ranks among the lowest in America, putting homeowners in roughly the 5th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $494 is just 18% of the national median of $2,690, making Prowers one of the most tax-friendly counties in the country.
Lowest taxes in Colorado by far
Prowers County's 0.327% effective rate is the lowest among Colorado's 64 counties, falling well below the state average of 0.393%. At $494 annually, the median property tax is less than one-third the state median of $1,560.
Clear tax advantage over region
Prowers County's 0.327% rate beats every comparison county in this analysis, including Rio Blanco (0.344%), Saguache (0.340%), and Routt County (0.329%). For rural eastern Colorado homeowners, Prowers stands out as the most affordable place to own property.
Median $150,900 home costs just $494
A homeowner with the median-valued property of $150,900 in Prowers County pays approximately $494 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure increases slightly to $635; without one, it drops to $376.
Even Prowers homeowners should check
Overassessment affects properties across all tax rates, and Prowers County homeowners should still review their assessments periodically against local market data. Even a small tax bill can be reduced further through a successful appeal, especially if comparable homes in the area sold for less.
Prowers County renters spend just 15.4% of income on housing—the lowest rent-to-income ratio among Colorado's counties and well below the national average. At $741 monthly, rents are 59% cheaper than the state median, making Prowers a rare affordability oasis.
Colorado's Most Affordable Market
Prowers County delivers the state's best housing values, with renters and owners alike enjoying costs 40% below state averages. The county's affordability advantage is built on modest home values ($150,900) and reasonable rents that align with rural Colorado's lower income profiles.
Beats All Surrounding Counties
Prowers' $741 rent undercuts Pueblo County ($1,059) by 30% and Phillips County ($947) by 22%. Even for homeownership, the $754 monthly cost trails most neighbors, positioning Prowers as the region's budget champion.
Housing Consumes Just 15% of Income
With a median household income of $57,601, Prowers residents dedicate only 15.4% to rent or 15.7% to mortgages—among the lowest burdens in Colorado. This leaves families room to save, invest, and weather unexpected costs without housing strain.
Prowers Is Home for Budget-First Movers
If housing affordability is your top priority, Prowers County delivers: rents under $750 and entry-level homes near $150K. Remote workers and retirees should seriously compare Prowers against pricier mountain counties and discover genuine financial breathing room.
Prowers County's median household income of $57,601 falls 23% short of the nation's $74,755 median. The county's economy, rooted in agriculture and small manufacturing, reflects income patterns typical of rural Great Plains communities.
Among Colorado's lowest-earning counties
Prowers County ranks in Colorado's bottom tier with a $57,601 median income, 23% below the state average of $74,792. The county faces structural economic challenges common to rural eastern Colorado.
Lowest earner in regional cluster
Prowers County ($57,601) earns less than Phillips County ($60,372) and Saguache County ($54,283), placing it among the region's lowest-income counties. Only Saguache falls below it in this rural cluster.
Affordability advantage in tight budget
Prowers County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest statewide, providing significant housing affordability. With a median home value of $150,900, homeownership remains accessible despite limited household income.
Building wealth on modest earnings
Households earning $57,601 should start with accessible tools like high-yield savings accounts and employer retirement plans, even with small contributions. Look into local credit unions or nonprofit financial counseling to develop debt reduction and savings strategies.
At 73.7 years, Prowers County's life expectancy is 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it among the lowest in Colorado. More than 22% of residents report poor or fair health—one of the highest rates in the state—signaling serious population health concerns.
Among Colorado's most vulnerable
Prowers County ranks near the bottom of Colorado's health rankings, with a life expectancy 4.5 years below the state average of 78.2 years. Its 13.0% uninsured rate is 3.3 percentage points above Colorado's 9.7% average, compounding access barriers for a struggling population.
Lowest life expectancy in region
Prowers County's 73.7-year life expectancy is the lowest among all eight profiled counties, including Rio Grande (72.3 years) in the south. Its 13.0% uninsured rate ties it with Rio Grande as the most uninsured in the regional cohort.
Critical shortage of primary care
Prowers County has only 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest of all eight counties—leaving vast stretches of the county without basic care access. Mental health support is stronger at 289 per 100,000, but the primary care gap means many residents never reach mental health treatment.
Coverage is the first step
With 13% of Prowers County uninsured and severe provider shortages, securing health insurance is critical. Visit healthcare.gov or call Colorado's Connect for Health at 1-855-752-6749 to find Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage—your first defense against the county's health gaps.
Prowers County's composite risk score of 48.60 earns a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average, signaling moderate natural disaster exposure. The county faces above-average hazard threats compared to typical American counties.
Moderate risk within Colorado
Prowers County's score of 48.60 sits above Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it among the state's higher-exposure counties. The county experiences greater natural disaster vulnerability than most Colorado regions.
Higher risk than adjacent counties
Prowers County (48.60) faces substantially higher risk than neighboring Phillips County (12.34), though slightly lower than Pueblo County (82.51). The county's eastern plains location creates a distinct hazard profile from mountain counties.
Wildfires and tornadoes threaten
Wildfire risk (79.23) is Prowers County's dominant hazard, among the highest in the state, followed by tornado risk (36.83). Flood risk (49.49) presents a moderate secondary concern, while earthquake risk (29.52) remains lower.
Essential insurance for Prowers
Residents should obtain comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit wildfire and tornado coverage, plus a separate flood policy if in a flood-prone area. Maintain defensible space around structures and keep emergency evacuation routes planned.