CountyScore

Ralls County

Missouri · MO

#8 in Missouri
74.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Ralls County, Missouri

Well-Positioned Above National Benchmark

Ralls County scores 75.7, 51% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the nation's better-performing counties for livability. This strong score reflects consistent strength across multiple dimensions.

Tops Missouri's Average

At 75.7, Ralls County exceeds Missouri's 74.8 state average, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's counties. The county competes favorably with neighboring regions for residents seeking both affordability and fiscal responsibility.

Balanced Affordability and Low Taxes

Ralls County combines an 84.6 cost score with an 81.0 tax score, reflecting median home values of $153,400 and an effective tax rate of 0.757%. Rents average $765/month, making it broadly affordable for working families.

Modest Incomes Limit Economic Growth

An income score of 23.9 and median household income of $62,054 indicate moderate earning potential relative to peers. As with other counties in this group, data on schools, health, and safety is not yet available and should be researched independently.

Ideal for Working Families Seeking Balance

Ralls County suits families and young professionals seeking equilibrium between affordability and earning power. The county's solid overall performance makes it a reliable choice for those prioritizing stability over exceptional advantage in any single category.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth68.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.9Risk86WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86
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 Ralls County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleveland County
Arkansas
74.8
Median income: $50,509
Decatur County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $74,228
Steuben County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $71,483
Wallace County
Kansas
74.8
Median income: $60,263
Garrett County
Maryland
74.8
Median income: $69,031

Deep Dives

Ralls County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ralls County

via TaxByCounty

Ralls County taxes significantly lower nationally

Ralls County's effective tax rate of 0.757% falls below the national median, with homeowners paying $1,161 in annual property taxes versus $2,690 nationally. County residents benefit from substantially lower tax burdens compared to the typical American homeowner.

Slightly above Missouri average

Ralls County's 0.757% effective rate sits slightly above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, yet its median tax bill of $1,161 edges just below the state median of $1,199. The county offers near-average property tax conditions for the state.

Mid-range taxes for the region

Ralls County's 0.757% rate falls between Phelps County's 0.640% and Pike County's 0.768%, placing it in the regional middle ground. The county's tax burden is more favorable than Platte (1.060%) and Putnam (0.987%) but higher than Polk (0.581%).

What $153,400 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $153,400 pays approximately $1,161 in annual property taxes in Ralls County. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,291; without one, it drops to $1,033.

Challenge overvalued assessments

Ralls County homeowners should periodically verify their property assessments align with current market conditions, as assessment errors can inflate tax bills over time. If your assessed value exceeds comparable properties in your area, consider filing an appeal with the county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ralls County

via CostByCounty

Ralls balances income and rent well

Ralls County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Missouri's 15.6% average and approaches the national affordability sweet spot. At $765/month, median rent runs just shy of the state average, while a median household income of $62,054 provides solid purchasing power.

Ralls ranks among Missouri's best

Ralls County claims one of Missouri's most affordable rent-to-income ratios at 14.8%, putting it in the state's better-off tier for housing affordability. This balance reflects both modest rents and reasonable local incomes.

Ralls sits in the sweet middle

Ralls' $765 median rent nearly matches Pike ($742) while staying well below Phelps ($801) and Pulaski ($1,072), offering genuine affordability without the rock-bottom isolation of rural Putnam. Median home values of $153,400 fall in the middle range, balancing price and market activity.

Both renting and owning feel fair

Renters spend $765/month (14.8% of income) and homeowners $667/month (12.9% of income), with owner costs notably lower and both figures suggesting comfortable affordability. The $98 monthly advantage of homeownership makes purchasing strategically appealing.

Ralls offers affordable small-town living

Ralls County suits those seeking affordability without the isolation of ultra-rural counties, offering reasonable rents and solid homeownership value. Compare Ralls with Pike for similar prices but slightly better income levels, or with Putnam if you want the absolute lowest costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ralls County

via IncomeByCounty

Ralls moderately below national mark

Ralls County's median household income of $62,054 trails the national median of $74,755 by 17%, a notably smaller gap than most rural Missouri peers. This represents relatively stronger income positioning for a small, agricultural-leaning county.

Missouri's upper-middle tier

Ralls County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $2,551, placing it solidly in the state's upper-middle income tier. Per capita income of $31,075 nearly matches Missouri's $31,011 average, indicating fairly even earning distribution.

Second-best in the neighborhood

Ralls ($62,054) ranks second only to Platte ($95,748) in this region, outpacing Pulaski ($66,435)—wait, that's incorrect; Pulaski slightly leads at $66,435. Ralls still comfortably exceeds Pike ($57,572), Putnam ($56,875), Phelps ($55,427), Polk ($56,686), and Randolph ($55,310).

Balanced housing affordability

Ralls County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% is healthy, falling in the favorable range for rental affordability. The median home value of $153,400 translates to roughly 2.5 years of median household income, representing a reasonable entry point for homeownership.

Build on Ralls' stability

Ralls County households earning $62,054 benefit from manageable housing costs and stable community roots. Lock in mortgage principal-building, establish automatic transfers to retirement and investment accounts, and explore local business or real estate opportunities to leverage community relationships for additional wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ralls County

via HealthByCounty

Ralls County life expectancy keeps pace

At 75.5 years, Ralls County matches Pike County and exceeds the U.S. average of 78.1 years by comparison to lower-performing peer counties. However, 18.3% reporting poor or fair health indicates underlying vulnerabilities.

Slightly above Missouri's baseline

Ralls County's 75.5-year life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.2 years, though the gap reflects modest regional variation. The county sits in the middle tier statewide.

Critical primary care desert

Ralls County has only 10 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in its peer group and well below adequacy thresholds. At 57 mental health providers per 100K, it ranks among the region's most underserved for behavioral care.

10.1% uninsured in sparse provider area

Ralls County's 10.1% uninsured rate sits below the state average, but critical provider shortages mean even insured residents face barriers to care. Many residents travel to neighboring Phelps or Platte counties for routine medical services.

Insurance first step in limited access

For Ralls County's 10.1% uninsured residents, enrollment in Medicaid or marketplace coverage is essential given the county's provider constraints. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to secure coverage and explore telehealth options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ralls County

via RiskByCounty

Ralls County ranks among nation's safest

Ralls County's composite risk score of 14.06 places it far below the national average, earning a very low risk rating overall. While flood risk (27.16) is the county's most significant hazard, it remains modest compared to national norms, and other threats are minimal.

Second-safest county in Missouri

Ralls County's score of 14.06 ranks it just above Putnam County (8.24) as Missouri's safest counties, sitting well below the state average of 50.56. This exceptional resilience makes Ralls one of the state's most disaster-resistant communities.

Safest in its immediate region

Ralls County (14.06) is far safer than Pike County (40.30), Randolph County (35.85), and Phelps County (53.72), with only Putnam County (8.24) approaching its low-risk status. Its flood risk of 27.16 is higher than Putnam's, reflecting its proximity to the Mississippi River.

Flood risk is modest but notable

Ralls County's flood risk of 27.16 is the primary hazard, likely due to proximity to major waterways, though it remains below state averages. Wildfire (32.12) and tornado (21.18) risks are secondary concerns, while earthquake (37.34) and hurricane (10.85) risks remain low.

Standard policy covers most needs

Ralls County residents should carry standard homeowners insurance plus optional flood insurance, particularly for properties in mapped flood zones near waterways. Given the county's overall low-risk profile, additional specialized coverage is rarely necessary for most homeowners.

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.