Saline County exceeds national livability baseline
Saline County's composite score of 68.6 clearly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 37% of U.S. counties. This solid ranking reflects balanced livability, particularly driven by higher household incomes and health outcomes.
2 / 5
Slightly below Arkansas average overall
Saline County scores 68.6 versus the Arkansas state average of 70.3, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Despite this, it stands out for distinctive economic and health strengths.
3 / 5
Best incomes and top health metrics in cohort
Saline County's income score of 33.3 is the highest in this cohort, with a median household income of $76,534 that significantly outpaces state and national averages. A 71.4 health score reflects strong medical access and wellness outcomes, plus a low risk score of 22.4 indicates economic stability.
4 / 5
Housing affordability is the trade-off
Saline County's cost score of 75.1 is the lowest in this group, with median home values of $211,700 and rents of $980 per month. The effective tax rate of 0.631% is moderate-to-high, reflecting the costs of a more affluent county.
5 / 5
Perfect for middle-to-upper-income families
Saline County suits professionals and established families with solid incomes who value health services and economic stability over minimizing housing costs. The higher wages and health outcomes justify the elevated real estate prices for those with financial capacity.
Saline County exceeds national livability baseline
Saline County's composite score of 68.6 clearly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 37% of U.S. counties. This solid ranking reflects balanced livability, particularly driven by higher household incomes and health outcomes.
Slightly below Arkansas average overall
Saline County scores 68.6 versus the Arkansas state average of 70.3, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Despite this, it stands out for distinctive economic and health strengths.
Best incomes and top health metrics in cohort
Saline County's income score of 33.3 is the highest in this cohort, with a median household income of $76,534 that significantly outpaces state and national averages. A 71.4 health score reflects strong medical access and wellness outcomes, plus a low risk score of 22.4 indicates economic stability.
Housing affordability is the trade-off
Saline County's cost score of 75.1 is the lowest in this group, with median home values of $211,700 and rents of $980 per month. The effective tax rate of 0.631% is moderate-to-high, reflecting the costs of a more affluent county.
Perfect for middle-to-upper-income families
Saline County suits professionals and established families with solid incomes who value health services and economic stability over minimizing housing costs. The higher wages and health outcomes justify the elevated real estate prices for those with financial capacity.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Saline County's effective tax rate of 0.631% remains well below the national median, with residents paying $1,335 annually versus $2,690 nationally. This ranks Saline in roughly the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for property tax pressure.
Above-average but not extreme for Arkansas
Saline County's 0.631% rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 75 counties. Residents pay roughly $630 more per year than the typical Arkansan.
Second-highest rate in regional sample
Saline County's 0.631% rate trails only Pulaski County's 0.783% in the eight-county sample, making it the second-most expensive option by tax rate. However, its higher median home value of $211,700 means dollar bills that reflect both rate and property wealth.
Tax bill on typical Saline home
A Saline County home valued at $211,700 carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,335 without mortgage benefits, or $1,422 with them. Over 30 years, that's roughly $40,050 in cumulative property taxes.
Appeal if your assessment seems high
High-value properties like those common in Saline County can accumulate significant tax savings through successful reassessment appeals. If recent comparable sales suggest your home's assessed value is too high, file a formal challenge with the county assessor.
Saline County renters spend 15.4% of income on housing, well below the national average and indicating strong affordability despite higher absolute rents. This favorable ratio reflects Saline's above-average household income of $76,534—the highest in this dataset.
Saline ranks best by income-adjusted standards
While Saline's median rent of $980 is the second-highest here, its 15.4% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average (18.1%) thanks to significantly higher local earnings. Saline residents earn roughly $22,000 more annually than the state median household.
Premium rents offset by premium incomes
Saline County's $980 rent ranks high—exceeded only by Pulaski's $1,036—yet affordability remains excellent due to median income of $76,534. This creates a market where higher-earning households secure modern housing without affordability strain, unlike lower-income Pulaski renters.
Higher incomes absorb higher housing costs
Saline County residents earn $76,534 annually, with renters spending $980/month (15.4% of income) and homeowners $1,024/month (16.1%). Despite the highest absolute housing costs alongside Pulaski, Saline's income level ensures manageable affordability ratios.
Saline for upscale affordability
Relocating to Saline County makes sense if your income approaches or exceeds the $76,534 median—you'll enjoy newer homes (median value $211,700) with solid affordability. Compare your expected salary to Pulaski's $60,385 median: if you exceed Saline's baseline, housing feels truly affordable.
Saline County's median household income of $76,534 is among the highest in Arkansas, just 2% above the national median of $74,755. This strong performance reflects the county's proximity to Little Rock and diversified economic base including manufacturing and professional services.
Saline County tops all surveyed counties
At $76,534, Saline County's median household income is 50% above Arkansas's $51,156 state average—the strongest performance among all eight counties surveyed. The per capita income of $38,149 also leads the region at 36% above the state average.
Saline County regional income champion
Saline County's $76,534 median household income decisively outpaces all neighbors, including Pulaski County ($60,385) and Pope County ($54,606). This advantage reflects Saline's explosive growth as a suburban job hub drawing commuters from Little Rock and beyond.
Strong incomes offset rising home values
Saline County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio remains very favorable despite the county's median home value of $211,700—the highest in the survey. Robust household incomes comfortably support both rental and mortgage obligations.
Saline County residents positioned for growth
With median household income nearing national levels, Saline County families have robust capacity for aggressive retirement saving, investment diversification, and real estate wealth building. Residents should work with financial advisors to optimize tax-advantaged strategies and long-term asset allocation.
Saline County's 75.5-year life expectancy ranks among the state's highest, though still 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Just 17.2% report poor or fair health—the county's standout advantage—reflecting strong community health outcomes.
Clear statewide health leader
Saline County's 75.5-year life expectancy significantly exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year state average, making it one of the state's healthiest counties by longevity. Its 17.2% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among the eight counties profiled.
Competitive regional healthcare
Saline County's 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents trail Pulaski County's 118 but exceed rural neighbors like Prairie County's 12. With 162 mental health providers per 100,000, it offers solid behavioral health infrastructure for a non-urban county.
Lowest uninsured rate in profile
Only 8.2% of Saline County residents lack health insurance—the lowest among the eight counties and well below Arkansas's 9.9% average. This strong coverage, combined with reasonable provider availability, translates into consistent preventive care and disease management.
Maintain your health coverage
Saline County's success reflects strong insurance uptake; if you're uninsured, enrollment is easy through Arkansas's marketplace or Medicaid. Keeping coverage current ensures access to the preventive care and specialists that drive this county's health advantage.
Saline County's composite risk score of 77.64 sits well above the national average, though it carries a Relatively Low overall rating. Multiple hazard types here cluster above typical U.S. levels, demanding proactive preparation.
Above average for Arkansas
At 77.64, Saline County ranks well above Arkansas's state average of 55.51, placing it among the state's riskier counties. Only Pulaski County exceeds this exposure significantly.
Riskier than most neighbors
Saline County (77.64) exceeds Polk County (46.12) and Prairie County (41.38) but closely mirrors Pope County (77.83). Your central Arkansas location concentrates multiple natural disaster risks alongside a growing population.
Tornadoes and earthquakes lead
Tornado risk reaches 89.06 while earthquake risk stands at 89.25, making these your co-equal primary threats. Flood risk (74.90) is also substantial, creating a triple hazard that demands serious attention.
Triple-threat insurance strategy
Ensure your homeowners policy covers earthquakes, wind/hail from tornadoes, and flood damage—separate policies may be needed for flood and earthquake. Create a detailed tornado shelter plan with a basement or interior room, maintain 72 hours of emergency supplies, and review your earthquake preparedness annually.