CountyScore

Reno County

Kansas · KS

#103 in Kansas
60.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Reno County, Kansas

Reno Outpaces National Competition

Reno County's composite score of 62.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 25%, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This solid advantage reflects consistent performance on affordability metrics that resonate with working families.

Slightly Below Kansas Standard

Reno's score of 62.4 trails Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 105 counties. The gap suggests Reno faces livability headwinds compared to Kansas peers on available metrics.

Solid Housing Affordability

Reno's cost score of 79.2 reflects reasonable affordability with median homes at $125,000 and rents at $857 monthly. While not Kansas's cheapest market, these figures remain accessible for working families and retirees.

Lowest Income Score in Cohort

An income score of 22.9 and median household income of $60,498 represent Reno's most significant constraint, lagging state expectations. Safety, health, and school data gaps further limit a complete livability assessment.

Best for Budget-Conscious Retirees

Reno County suits retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers who value affordable housing over wage potential. If you're moving from an expensive area, Reno offers moderate Kansas livability at a reasonable cost.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.2Cost79.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.9Risk19.9WaterComing Soon
🏛53.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.9
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 Reno County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Imperial County
California
60.7
Median income: $56,393
Fulton County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $58,617
Iroquois County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $62,439
Charles County
Maryland
60.7
Median income: $120,592
St. Louis County
Missouri
60.7
Median income: $81,340

Deep Dives

Reno County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Reno County

via TaxByCounty

Reno's rate outpaces national median

Reno County's effective tax rate of 1.744% runs 195 basis points above the national median of 1.549%, placing residents in the 60th percentile for property tax burden nationwide. This means most American homeowners enjoy lower effective tax rates than Reno county residents.

Upper-middle tier among Kansas counties

At 1.744%, Reno County sits 0.195 percentage points above the Kansas state average of 1.549%, ranking in the upper third of these eight counties. The median property tax of $2,180 exceeds the statewide median of $1,943 by $237.

Competitive with regional neighbors

Reno's 1.744% rate runs lower than Pratt County (1.763%) but higher than Rawlins County (1.661%) and Rice County (1.551%). Among south-central Kansas counties, Reno occupies the moderate-to-higher range.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Reno County home valued at $125,000 generates approximately $2,180 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,381; without one, it drops to $1,844.

Review your assessment today

Many Kansas homeowners pay more than they should due to outdated assessments. If your property tax seems high relative to comparable homes, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reduce your burden—and the process is free.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Reno County

via CostByCounty

Reno faces the tightest affordability squeeze

Reno County residents spend 17.0% of their $60,498 median household income on rent—the highest ratio in this analysis and well above Kansas's state average of 14.7%. While still below the national 30% affordability threshold, the strain is more acute here than in neighboring counties, particularly given incomes that trail the national median by 19%.

Least affordable county in this analysis

Reno County ranks as the least affordable housing market among the eight counties examined, with a 17.0% rent-to-income ratio that significantly exceeds the state average. Its $857 monthly rent and $60,498 median income create the tightest housing-cost burden in the region.

Higher costs, lower incomes than peers

Reno County's $857 rent and $907 owner costs exceed most neighbors despite having the region's lowest median household income of $60,498. This combination makes Reno the most cost-strained county in the comparison, outpaced only by higher-income Pottawatomie.

Housing dominates household budgets

Reno County renters dedicate $857 monthly (17% of income) to housing while homeowners pay $907, consuming a disproportionate share of already-tight budgets. With a median home value of $125,000, homeownership offers modest equity-building potential but significant financial commitment.

Seek opportunities elsewhere if affordable housing matters

If housing affordability is central to your relocation decision, Reno County's 17% rent-to-income ratio signals tighter finances than neighboring counties like Phillips or Republic. Consider higher-income markets or lower-cost alternatives before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Reno County

via IncomeByCounty

Reno significantly lags national income

Reno County's median household income of $60,498 falls roughly $14,250 short of the national median of $74,755, marking one of the larger gaps in this group. This reflects broader economic challenges in south-central Kansas and the decline of traditional agricultural employment.

Below-average county in Kansas

Reno County ranks below Kansas's median household income of $64,428, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. Per capita income of $32,203 significantly trails the state average of $34,748, suggesting wealth is less evenly distributed than statewide.

Among the lower earners in region

At $60,498, Reno County ranks near the bottom of this comparison group, surpassing only Republic County ($53,611). Nearby counties like Rice ($63,947), Pawnee ($63,625), and Rawlins ($65,000) all earn more, highlighting Reno's economic challenges.

Housing strains household budgets

Reno County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% represents the highest burden in this group, approaching concerning levels for household budgets. Median home values of $125,000 exceed annual household income, suggesting homeownership requires careful financial planning or significant savings accumulation.

Strategic budgeting enables progress

Reno County residents must prioritize budgeting given elevated housing costs, but wealth building remains possible through disciplined saving. Explore down payment assistance programs for homeownership, maximize employer retirement contributions, and consider a second income source to accelerate financial goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Reno County

via HealthByCounty

Reno falls slightly short nationally

Reno County residents live to 75.3 years, just below the U.S. average of 75.4 years. At 17.0%, the poor or fair health rate is among the highest in the region, signaling significant wellness challenges.

Below-state-average life expectancy

Reno County's 75.3-year life expectancy trails Kansas's state average of 75.4 years, and its 10.1% uninsured rate beats the state average of 11.5%. While coverage is relatively good, health outcomes lag statewide.

Moderate access to care providers

Reno County has 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 218 mental health providers per 100,000. While mental health access is above-average, primary care supply could better serve the county's health needs.

One in ten Reno residents uninsured

With 10.1% uninsured, Reno County's coverage rate is better than state average, yet 1 in 10 residents lack protection. The county's high poor/fair health rate suggests chronic disease burden and ongoing wellness challenges despite available provider access.

Take action to improve health security

If you're uninsured in Reno County, healthcare.gov and Kansas Medicaid provide enrollment pathways available year-round. Getting covered opens doors to preventive care that can improve the county's overall wellness trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Reno County

via RiskByCounty

Reno County faces the state's highest risk

Reno County's composite risk score of 80.15 far exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, making it the most disaster-exposed county in the state and placing it in the Relatively Low national category. The county faces significantly higher natural hazard exposure than typical U.S. regions.

Kansas's most hazardous county overall

Reno County ranks first in Kansas for composite disaster risk, with tornado (93.26), wildfire (95.55), and flood (70.93) scores that dominate the state landscape. No Kansas county exceeds Reno's combined exposure to these major perils.

Substantially riskier than all neighbors

Reno's composite score of 80.15 is nearly 26 points higher than Pratt County (54.83), the next-highest neighbor, and more than double that of Pawnee (31.62) or Rice (28.53). The county stands alone as a high-risk zone in western Kansas.

Wildfire, tornado, and flood converge

Reno faces an exceptional three-part hazard profile: wildfire at 95.55, tornado at 93.26, and flood at 70.93—the highest scores in Kansas for each. This triple threat makes Reno County one of the nation's more disaster-prone regions.

Comprehensive coverage is critical here

Reno County residents must secure full homeowners insurance including separate flood and wildfire coverage, along with a reinforced storm shelter or safe room. Implement aggressive defensible space management around your property and ensure your roof, siding, and foundation can withstand high winds and flooding.

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.