CountyScore

Rice County

Kansas · KS

#36 in Kansas
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Rice County, Kansas

Rice Leads This County Peer Group

Rice County's composite score of 67.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 35%, ranking it in the upper tier of American counties. This performance reflects balanced strengths in tax burden, affordability, and regional competitiveness.

Outperforms Kansas Average

Rice's score of 67.3 surpasses Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, ranking it among the state's top performers across its 105 counties. This leadership position makes Rice one of Kansas's most livable counties in this measured cohort.

Superior Tax and Cost Profile

Rice excels with a tax score of 58.7 and cost score of 84.3, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 1.55% and median home values at $105,500. Combined with modest rents of $717 monthly, Rice offers genuine financial advantage.

Income Levels Moderate but Reasonable

An income score of 25.1 and median household income of $63,947 represent Rice's softest metric, though still respectable for rural Kansas. Missing health, safety, and school data limits the complete livability assessment.

Best Overall Value in Kansas

Rice County offers the strongest all-around livability in this eight-county group, combining low taxes, affordable housing, and decent income levels. For families seeking balanced Kansas living with genuine economic advantage, Rice delivers the most complete package.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.7Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.1Risk71.5WaterComing Soon
🏛58.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.5
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 Rice County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Waldo County
Maine
68.5
Median income: $68,441

Deep Dives

Rice County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rice County

via TaxByCounty

Rice County essentially matches national average

Rice County's effective tax rate of 1.551% sits just 2 basis points above the national median of 1.549%, placing the county at the 50th percentile nationwide. This means Rice residents pay a property tax burden almost exactly average compared to the rest of America.

Nearly aligned with Kansas average

At 1.551%, Rice County's effective rate closely tracks the Kansas state average of 1.549%, making it one of the most representative counties in the state. The median property tax of $1,636 sits $307 below the statewide median of $1,943.

Among region's lowest-taxed counties

Rice's 1.551% rate ranks second-lowest in this group, trailing only Pottawatomie County (1.110%) and substantially below Pawnee (1.789%), Pratt (1.763%), and Reno (1.744%). South-central Kansas residents benefit from Rice's favorable position.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Rice County home valued at $105,500 generates approximately $1,636 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,935; without one, it drops to $1,236.

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 Rice County

via CostByCounty

Rice balances incomes and affordability well

Rice County residents spend 13.4% of their $63,947 median household income on rent, below Kansas's state average of 14.7% and comfortably under the national 30% affordability threshold. Though incomes trail the national median by 14%, Rice delivers better-than-average housing affordability.

Above-average affordability in Kansas

Rice County ranks among the more affordable counties in Kansas, with a 13.4% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 1.3 percentage points. Its $717 monthly rent sits below the state median of $787, signaling strong housing value.

Low-cost alternative to regional peers

Rice County's $717 rent undercuts most neighbors, from Pawnee ($806) to Reno ($857), and ties with Republic County's affordability. Owner costs of $742 are moderate, positioning Rice as a solid value for both renters and homebuyers.

Balanced rental and ownership costs

Rice County renters spend $717 monthly while homeowners pay $742, a modest difference reflecting balanced housing options for both cohorts. With a median home value of $105,500, both pathways consume roughly 13-14% of household income.

Rice offers solid middle-ground value

Rice County delivers above-average affordability with moderate incomes, making it an excellent choice for families earning around $64,000 who want housing costs below the state average. It's more affordable than Pawnee or Pratt, yet slightly pricier than Republic.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rice County

via IncomeByCounty

Rice trails national income standards

Rice County's median household income of $63,947 falls approximately $10,800 short of the national median of $74,755, consistent with broader rural Kansas income patterns. This gap places the county slightly below the national middle range.

Slightly below Kansas average

Rice County's $63,947 median household income sits just below Kansas's state average of $64,428, placing it near the state median. Per capita income of $32,742 trails the state average of $34,748, suggesting income concentration among fewer working households.

Solid middle ground regionally

Rice County's $63,947 income exceeds Reno ($60,498), Phillips ($61,235), and Republic ($53,611) but trails Rawlins ($65,000), Pawnee ($63,625), and Pratt ($64,348). The county holds steady in the regional middle tier.

Strong housing affordability advantage

Rice County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% represents one of the most favorable in this group, allocating just over one-eighth of household income to housing. Median home values of $105,500 align well with annual household earnings, supporting accessible homeownership.

Capitalize on housing affordability

With housing costs controlled at 13.4% of income, Rice County residents enjoy meaningful capacity for savings and investment. Establish automatic contributions to retirement accounts, build emergency savings, and explore homeownership opportunities to convert affordable housing into long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rice County

via HealthByCounty

Rice matches U.S. longevity, faces wellness challenges

Rice County residents live to 75.3 years, essentially matching the U.S. average of 75.4 years. However, 15.1% report poor or fair health, suggesting chronic disease and wellness concerns persist despite average lifespan.

Below-state-average life expectancy

Rice County's 75.3-year life expectancy trails Kansas's state average of 75.4 years, though its 10.7% uninsured rate beats the state average of 11.5%. Coverage access is relatively good despite slightly lagging health outcomes.

Moderate provider access across disciplines

Rice County has 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—adequate but below best-in-region standards—and 76 mental health providers per 100,000, below most neighbors. Provider supply could be stronger for a county its size.

One in ten Rice residents uninsured

With 10.7% uninsured, Rice County means roughly 1 in 10 residents lack health coverage. Limited mental health provider availability suggests those seeking behavioral health care may face waits or travel outside the county.

Close the coverage gap this year

Rice County residents can enroll in marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or apply for Kansas Medicaid to gain health security. Getting covered now prevents financial strain from unexpected illness and connects you to local care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rice County

via RiskByCounty

Rice County sits just below state average

Rice County's composite risk score of 28.53 falls just below Kansas's state average of 29.89, earning a Very Low national risk rating. The county's overall disaster exposure remains low compared to most U.S. counties.

Middle-low risk among Kansas counties

Rice ranks slightly below the state average, driven primarily by tornado exposure at 62.75 and wildfire exposure at 76.84. These two hazards exceed state norms, while flood and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Safer than Pratt, riskier than Rawlins

Rice's composite score of 28.53 sits between Rawlins County (4.83) and Pratt County (54.83), and is nearly identical to nearby Pawnee (31.62). The county occupies a middle-ground position within its regional peer group.

Tornado and wildfire are the main concerns

Wildfire dominates at 76.84 and tornado risk is substantial at 62.75—both above the county's composite average. Flood exposure is moderate at 22.17, and earthquake risk is negligible at 20.77.

Prioritize storm and fire coverage

Rice County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes robust tornado and wildfire protection, with attention to roof and structural coverage. Maintain defensible space around your property and review your emergency shelter options as tornado preparedness is essential in this region.

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.