CountyScore

Pulaski County

Missouri · MO

#76 in Missouri
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Pulaski County, Missouri

Well Above Average Nationally

Pulaski County scores 72.7, approximately 45% higher than the national median of 50.0. The score demonstrates solid overall livability supported by low taxes and reasonable housing costs.

Slightly Below Missouri Average

At 72.7, Pulaski County trails the state average of 74.8 by just 2.1 points, ranking it in the middle-to-upper tier of Missouri counties. This competitive position reflects a balanced profile without standout strengths or weaknesses.

Low Taxes and Moderate Housing Costs

Pulaski County features an 85.1 tax score with a 0.611% effective tax rate, among the lowest in the group. A 74.9 cost score and median home value of $189,700 provide reasonable housing affordability for working families.

Income Levels Constrain Economic Opportunity

The county's income score of 26.8 and median household income of $66,435 are moderate but do not stand out positively. Higher median rent of $1,072/month suggests rising housing pressures, and missing data on schools and health services require additional investigation.

Balanced Choice for Working Families

Pulaski County works well for families seeking a middle ground between affordability and decent earning opportunities. The county offers stable, if modest, livability—particularly attractive to those with regional employment connections or remote work arrangements.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost74.9SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.8Risk39.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.5
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 Pulaski County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

La Plata County
Colorado
68.7
Median income: $85,296
Butts County
Georgia
68.7
Median income: $59,221
Adams County
Indiana
68.7
Median income: $63,128
Emmet County
Iowa
68.7
Median income: $65,181
Wichita County
Kansas
68.7
Median income: $71,282

Deep Dives

Pulaski County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pulaski County

via TaxByCounty

Pulaski County well below national tax average

Pulaski County's effective tax rate of 0.611% sits comfortably below the national median, with homeowners paying $1,159 in annual property taxes versus $2,690 nationally. County residents enjoy a significant tax advantage compared to homeowners across the United States.

Below-average taxes for Missouri

Pulaski County's 0.611% effective rate falls below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, and its median tax bill of $1,159 sits just below the state median of $1,199. The county offers modest property tax relief to homeowners.

Low-tax option in the region

Pulaski County's 0.611% rate is lower than Pike County's 0.768%, Phelps County's 0.640%, and Randolph County's 0.849%, though slightly higher than Polk County's 0.581%. The county ranks among the region's more affordable areas for property taxation.

What $189,700 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $189,700 pays approximately $1,159 in annual property taxes in Pulaski County. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,277; without one, it drops to $914.

Contest inflated assessments

Pulaski County homeowners should regularly check their property assessments against comparable sales in their area, as overvaluation can result in unnecessary tax overpayment. If your assessed value seems high, the county assessor's office accepts formal appeals.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pulaski County

via CostByCounty

Pulaski's housing pinch is real

Pulaski County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most strained housing markets, well above the national comfort zone and Missouri's 15.6% average. Median household income of $66,435 falls short of national norms, while median rent of $1,072/month soars above state averages.

Missouri's least affordable county here

Pulaski County records the worst rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties at 19.4%, signaling the deepest housing affordability crisis in the region. This places Pulaski squarely in Missouri's least affordable tier, driven by a collision of rising rents and modest incomes.

Pulaski commands the highest rents

Pulaski's $1,072 median rent tops every neighbor in this analysis—$270 above Pike's cheapest and $75 above Phelps. Home values near $189,700 stay moderate, suggesting the rental market, not ownership, drives Pulaski's affordability stress.

Renters hurt most; owners get relief

Renters carry the heaviest load at 19.4% of income ($1,072/month), while homeowners ease to 16.6% ($922/month), revealing a two-tier market. The gap suggests strategic homebuyers find real savings, but renters face genuine hardship.

Pulaski demands serious income gains

Pulaski County suits only those with jobs or income that offset its high rents—think Fort Leonard Wood employment or military ties. If you're relocating for a lateral move in pay, Pike or Putnam offer far easier affordability; prioritize Pulaski only if your paycheck justifies it.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pulaski County

via IncomeByCounty

Pulaski lags behind national norms

Pulaski County's median household income of $66,435 trails the national median of $74,755 by 11.1%, reflecting modest regional earning power. However, the gap is narrower than most rural Missouri counties, positioning Pulaski in the middle tier nationally.

Above Missouri's state average

Pulaski County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $6,932, ranking comfortably in the upper half of the state's counties. Per capita income of $29,250 sits near the state average of $31,011, indicating relatively balanced earning distribution.

Pulaski leads the lower-income belt

Pulaski's $66,435 income ranks second in this region after Platte ($95,748), substantially ahead of Phelps ($55,427), Pike ($57,572), Polk ($56,686), and Randolph ($55,310). Ralls County ($62,054) approaches Pulaski's level, while Putnam ($56,875) falls into the lower cluster.

Housing costs require attention

Pulaski County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% is the highest in this cohort, indicating renters spend a notably larger share of earnings on housing. The median home value of $189,700 demands roughly 2.9 years of median household income, pressing homeownership into the challenging range for many families.

Ease housing costs, invest surplus

Pulaski County households earning $66,435 should prioritize reducing housing cost burden—consider refinancing, sharing expenses, or exploring first-time homebuyer programs. After stabilizing housing, redirect freed-up dollars into employer retirement plans and regular brokerage investing to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pulaski County

via HealthByCounty

Pulaski below national health standards

At 73.7 years, Pulaski County's life expectancy falls 4.4 years short of the U.S. average of 78.1 years. While the 17.6% poor/fair health rate is better than several peers, it still exceeds the national norm.

Just below Missouri's baseline

Pulaski County's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year average by 0.6 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. Targeted health interventions could help close the gap.

Sparse primary care, strong mental health

Pulaski County has only 28 primary care providers per 100K—a significant gap compared to Platte County's 81 or Phelps County's 82. However, its 284 mental health providers per 100K exceed regional averages substantially.

10% uninsured with access gaps

Pulaski County's 10% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 12.5%, but limited primary care capacity means even insured residents struggle to access preventive care. The mismatch between insurance coverage and provider availability challenges health management.

Secure coverage to enable care

For Pulaski County's 10% uninsured residents, enrollment in Medicaid or marketplace plans is critical given limited provider options. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find coverage that connects you to available care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pulaski County

via RiskByCounty

Pulaski County faces multiple hazards

Pulaski County's composite risk score of 60.53 places it above the national average with a relatively low overall rating, but residents face exposure across multiple hazard types. Wildfire (62.53), flood (62.44), earthquake (69.85), and tornado (61.51) risks are all elevated, creating a complex risk landscape.

Above-average risk in Missouri context

Pulaski County's score of 60.53 ranks it above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the higher-risk counties in the state. The county's earthquake risk of 69.85 is notably above state norms, alongside significant wildfire and flood exposure.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Pulaski County (60.53) carries higher overall risk than Pike County (40.30), Randolph County (35.85), and Phelps County (53.72). Only Platte County (71.37) exceeds Pulaski's composite risk in the immediate region, though Pulaski's earthquake threat is greater than Platte's.

Earthquakes pose the greatest threat

Pulaski County's earthquake risk of 69.85 is its most significant hazard, substantially higher than state and national averages. Wildfire (62.53), flood (62.44), and tornado (61.51) risks are all remarkably similar and elevated, requiring balanced preparedness across all four hazard types.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Pulaski County residents need earthquake insurance as a priority given the county's above-average seismic risk, coupled with standard homeowners coverage for wind and impact. Flood insurance is strongly recommended given the 62.44 flood risk score, and creating wildfire-resistant landscaping adds an important layer of home protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.