CountyScore

Putnam County

Missouri · MO

#13 in Missouri
73.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Putnam County, Missouri

Solidly Above National Median

Putnam County scores 73.5, nearly 47% above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability. The score reflects strength in housing affordability paired with reasonable tax rates.

Slightly Below State Average

At 73.5, Putnam County falls just short of Missouri's 74.8 average, placing it in the solid middle tier of state counties. The narrow gap suggests comparable livability to state peers, with subtle trade-offs in different dimensions.

Ultra-Affordable Housing Tops the List

Putnam County leads with an 86.1 cost score and the lowest median home value in the group at just $111,600, plus bargain rents of $575/month. These figures make it the most affordable option for budget-limited households.

Higher Taxes and Limited Incomes

The county's effective tax rate of 0.987% is the highest in this group, despite a 74.5 tax score. Combined with an income score of 20.5 and median household income of $56,875, residents face constraints on both earning and tax obligations.

Best for Minimalists Seeking Rock-Bottom Prices

Putnam County appeals to those willing to trade higher taxes for extraordinarily low housing costs and a rural lifestyle. The county is particularly suited for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking maximum housing bang for their buck.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.5Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth67.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.5Risk91.8WaterComing Soon
🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.8
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 Putnam County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Scott County
Arkansas
73.6
Median income: $45,955
Ontonagon County
Michigan
73.6
Median income: $51,844
Lake County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $75,621
Redwood County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $67,024
Powell County
Montana
73.6
Median income: $63,432

Deep Dives

Putnam County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Putnam County

via TaxByCounty

Putnam County's rate above national average

Putnam County's effective tax rate of 0.987% exceeds the national median, though its median tax bill of $1,101 remains below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values. The county presents a mixed tax picture: higher rates but lower overall bills.

Above-average rates for Missouri

Putnam County's 0.987% effective rate is notably higher than Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's higher-tax counties. However, the median tax bill of $1,101 stays below the state median of $1,199 because homes are valued significantly lower.

Among region's highest tax rates

Putnam County's 0.987% rate is substantially higher than Phelps (0.640%), Pike (0.768%), Polk (0.581%), and Pulaski (0.611%), though slightly below Platte County's 1.060%. The county ranks as a high-tax area in its region.

What $111,600 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $111,600 pays approximately $1,101 in annual property taxes in Putnam County. With a mortgage, that bill increases to $1,132; without one, it drops to $1,046.

Review your assessment closely

Putnam County's relatively high tax rate makes it especially important for homeowners to verify their assessments are accurate and competitive with local market values. Filing an assessment appeal can reduce your tax burden in this higher-rate county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Putnam County

via CostByCounty

Putnam delivers Missouri's best deal

Putnam County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable housing markets in Missouri and the nation, nearly 3 percentage points below the state average. Median rent of just $575/month—the cheapest in this analysis—makes housing easily manageable on a $56,875 median income.

Rural affordability at its best

Putnam County stands as one of Missouri's most affordable counties, with a 12.1% rent-to-income ratio that leaves substantial income for other needs. This rural gem offers genuine breathing room in a state where many counties struggle with affordability.

The bargain champion of the region

Putnam's $575 median rent beats Pike ($742) by $167 and towers below Pulaski ($1,072) by nearly $500, making it the clear budget leader. Median home values of $111,600 match Pike's as the region's lowest, broadening Putnam's affordability edge.

Housing leaves room to breathe

Renters spend just $575/month (12.1% of income) while homeowners pay $802/month (16.9% of income), giving Putnam renters exceptional relief. Homeownership costs more here, but even at 16.9%, owner costs remain manageable statewide.

Putnam is the ultimate affordability play

Putnam County excels for remote workers, retirees, or anyone prioritizing low housing costs and financial flexibility over metro amenities. If you're choosing between Putnam and Pike, both offer outstanding value—Putnam pulls ahead on pure affordability, Pike on size and services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Putnam County

via IncomeByCounty

Putnam underperforms national median

Putnam County's median household income of $56,875 falls 23.9% below the national median of $74,755. The county's rural character and smaller population base explain this gap relative to more urbanized, higher-earning regions.

Near Missouri's average income

Putnam County sits just below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Notably, per capita income of $33,208 exceeds Missouri's $31,011 average, suggesting some pockets of higher earnings despite the moderate household median.

Moderate income in a rural band

Putnam ($56,875) ranks with Phelps ($55,427), Polk ($56,686), and Randolph ($55,310) in a tight lower-middle cluster, while Platte ($95,748) towers above all others. Pulaski ($66,435) and Ralls ($62,054) offer modest advantages, and Pike ($57,572) is nearly identical.

Most affordable housing in region

Putnam County boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.1%, making it the most affordable place for renters. The median home value of $111,600 is also the lowest nearby, requiring only 2 years of median household income—an exceptionally achievable homeownership target.

Putnam's affordability is an asset

Putnam County residents earning $56,875 face the lowest housing barriers in the region, freeing capital for wealth-building. Capitalize on this advantage by securing stable mortgages, investing surplus income in index funds or rental properties, and using tax-advantaged accounts to maximize compound growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Putnam County

via HealthByCounty

Putnam County trails national life expectancy

At 73.4 years, Putnam County residents live 4.7 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.1 years. The 16.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among the county group's healthier profiles but still suggests room for improvement.

Below Missouri's average performance

Putnam County's 73.4-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Missouri's 74.3-year state average. The county ranks in the lower third statewide for longevity metrics.

Moderate access in sparse region

Putnam County has 64 primary care providers per 100K—adequate compared to rural peers like Ralls County (10 per 100K) but trailing healthier counties like Platte (81). Mental health services at 65 per 100K lag statewide norms significantly.

10.6% uninsured, modest capacity

Putnam County's 10.6% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 12.5%, but limited mental health providers (65 per 100K) create bottlenecks for behavioral health referrals. Insurance alone doesn't guarantee access to available specialists.

Complete coverage for full access

For Putnam County's 10.6% uninsured residents, obtaining coverage through Medicaid or ACA plans removes barriers to the primary care and specialists available locally. Explore options at healthcare.gov or 1-800-318-2596.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Putnam County

via RiskByCounty

Putnam County is Missouri's safest

Putnam County's composite risk score of just 8.24 is exceptionally low, well below the national average and earning a very low risk rating. This remarkable safety profile reflects minimal exposure across nearly all major hazard types, from earthquakes (19.21) to hurricanes (11.89).

Lowest-risk county in Missouri

Putnam County's score of 8.24 is dramatically below Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it the state's safest county by a wide margin. This exceptional resilience positions Putnam as one of the nation's lowest-risk counties overall.

Unmatched safety in the region

Putnam County (8.24) is far safer than any nearby county, including Ralls County (14.06), Randolph County (35.85), and Pike County (40.30). Its composite risk score is less than one-sixth of Pike County's, making it a statistical outlier in Missouri.

Minimal hazard exposure overall

Even Putnam County's highest-risk hazard—tornado at 42.97—remains well below state averages, while wildfire (40.11) and earthquake (19.21) risks are correspondingly modest. Flood risk (10.15) and hurricane risk (11.89) are nearly negligible, creating an exceptionally safe environment.

Standard coverage fully protects homes

Putnam County residents can rely on a standard homeowners insurance policy without specialized endorsements, as natural disaster risk is minimal across all hazard types. Annual policy reviews ensure adequate coverage, though the county's exceptional safety profile requires less specialized planning than most Missouri communities.

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.