CountyScore

Saline County

Missouri · MO

#64 in Missouri
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Saline County, Missouri

Saline County scores 48% above national baseline

Saline County's composite score of 73.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it among America's more livable counties on fiscal and affordability measures. The strong score reflects relatively low taxes and affordable housing compared to national averages.

Right at Missouri's state average

Saline County scores 73.9, nearly matching Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the middle-upper range among the state's 114 counties. Performance is consistent with statewide patterns on tax and affordability metrics.

Balanced tax and housing values

Saline County scores well on tax burden (79.3, effective rate 0.815%) and housing affordability (83.2), with median homes at $139,600 and rent averaging $733/month. These balanced strengths create a solid foundation for middle-income families.

Income growth lags and data remains sparse

Saline County's income score of 20.3 reflects a median household income of $56,566, below several peer counties and suggesting limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, schools, health, and water quality metrics are not yet available, creating blind spots in the livability assessment.

Suits middle-income households seeking balance

Saline County appeals to families prioritizing reasonable housing costs and moderate tax burdens over exceptional incomes or amenities. The county offers a sensible middle ground for those seeking basic fiscal soundness without dramatic affordability advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.3Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth66.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.3Risk48.4WaterComing Soon
🏛79.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.4
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 Saline County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Saline County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Saline County

via TaxByCounty

Saline County taxes run slightly high

Saline County's effective tax rate of 0.815% exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733% by roughly 11%, putting residents above the state norm. The median property tax of $1,138 remains far below the national median of $2,690, ranking Saline in roughly the 35th percentile nationally.

Saline ranks in Missouri's upper-middle tier

Saline County's effective rate of 0.815% positions it among Missouri's higher-tax counties, about 11% above the state average of 0.733%. The median tax bill of $1,138 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by just $1, placing it nearly at the state average despite a below-average home value.

Saline competes with Ray and Schuyler

Saline County's 0.815% rate sits between Ray County (0.818%) and Schuyler County (0.871%), making it one of the region's moderate-to-higher-tax jurisdictions. This trio clearly differs from the lower-tax rural counties like Reynolds, Ripley, and Shannon.

Median annual bill: $1,138

On Saline County's median home value of $139,600, homeowners pay roughly $1,138 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically see $1,218 in escrow, while outright owners pay $1,045.

Check your assessment and appeal if needed

Many Saline County homeowners pay more than they should due to inflated assessments. Filing an appeal during the county's challenge window is free and can yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Saline County

via CostByCounty

Saline County hits Missouri's affordability midpoint

Saline County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio matches Missouri's state average exactly, placing it squarely in the middle of the national housing affordability spectrum. With median rent at $733 and household income at $56,566, the county offers balanced, if not exceptional, affordability.

Saline County mirrors Missouri's typical burden

At 15.6%, Saline County's rent-to-income ratio perfectly tracks the Missouri state average, meaning housing affordability here is neither a standout strength nor a particular challenge. The county represents Missouri's housing market middle ground.

Saline County holds steady in the region

Saline County's $733 rent is nearly identical to the state median of $768, and its median income of $56,566 places it midrange among surrounding counties. Housing costs and income align more evenly here than in either wealthier or poorer neighboring areas.

Housing takes standard 15.6% of income

Saline County renters allocate 15.6% of their $56,566 income to rent—roughly $8,700 annually—a proportion consistent with state norms. Home buyers encounter median ownership costs of $799 monthly with median home values of $139,600, supporting balanced owner-occupant opportunities.

Saline County offers middle-ground stability

Saline County appeals to those seeking Missouri living without affordability extremes: $733 rent, $56,566 median income, and a 15.6% rent-to-income ratio that matches state averages. If you want neither the bargains of rural counties nor the premiums of booming metros, Saline County delivers predictable, conventional housing economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Saline County

via IncomeByCounty

Saline County moderately below national income

Saline County's median household income of $56,566 falls 24% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This gap reflects a rural Missouri economy where agricultural and manufacturing sectors offer lower wage scales than national averages.

Mid-range earner across Missouri counties

At $56,566, Saline County ranks in Missouri's middle tier of counties, sitting just 5% below the state average of $59,503. The county's per capita income of $28,530 stays close to Missouri's $31,011 average, suggesting relatively balanced income distribution.

Saline sits between regional income clusters

Saline County ($56,566) earns less than nearby Ray ($72,152) and Schuyler ($56,023), but outpaces lower-income regions like Reynolds ($44,357) and Ripley ($43,898). Its mid-range position reflects moderate economic diversity within a rural county economy.

Housing affordability is reasonable but tight

A rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits slightly above the healthy 15% threshold, indicating housing costs are manageable though not ideal for all residents. Median home values of $139,600 relative to $56,566 in median income suggest homeownership requires careful financial planning.

Steady income supports incremental wealth-building

Saline County's near-average income position provides a foundation for modest but consistent wealth accumulation through homeownership and retirement savings. Residents should prioritize employer pension plans and tax-deferred accounts to leverage their moderate earnings into long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Saline County

via HealthByCounty

Saline County outperforms national benchmarks

Saline County's 74.8-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 78.8 years by falling only 4.0 years below it—among the best in this group. Just 18.8% of residents report poor or fair health, matching Ray County and significantly below the national 21% rate.

Saline leads Missouri on health metrics

At 74.8 years, Saline County's life expectancy edges above Missouri's 74.3-year state average, ranking it in the top tier of Missouri counties. The uninsured rate of 11.1% bests both the state average of 12.5% and the national average, indicating robust health coverage across the population.

Saline's success stands out regionally

Saline County's 74.8-year life expectancy outpaces all nearby counties—0.8 years ahead of Reynolds County (74.0 years) and 6.4 years ahead of Ripley County (68.4 years). With 52 primary care providers per 100K, Saline ranks second among these eight counties in physician availability.

Strong access meets strong coverage

Saline County residents enjoy 52 primary care providers per 100K and 143 mental health providers per 100K—above-average capacity for both primary and behavioral health. The 11.1% uninsured rate ensures most residents can translate available providers into actual care.

Saline leads—keep it that way

Even in Saline County's strong coverage environment, 11.1% remain uninsured. If you're among them, healthcare.gov makes enrollment quick and can show you free or low-cost plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Saline County

via RiskByCounty

Saline County slightly exceeds national risk average

Saline County's composite risk score of 51.62 hovers just above the national average, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating with moderately balanced hazard exposure. The county's risk profile reflects meaningful tornado and earthquake threats alongside moderate flood exposure.

Just above Missouri's statewide average

Saline County's 51.62 composite score marginally exceeds Missouri's 50.56 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state disaster risk. The county ranks slightly higher-risk than some neighbors but lower than many counties in the state's southeastern regions.

More exposed than Ray County, less than Scott

Saline County's 51.62 score places it between Ray County (44.37) to the north and Scott County (80.09) to the southeast, reflecting moderate relative risk. Its tornado exposure (60.53) aligns more with statewide concerns than Ray's lower tornado profile.

Tornadoes and flooding lead the threats

Tornado risk (60.53) ranks as Saline County's top natural hazard, followed closely by flood risk (58.49) and earthquake exposure (60.15). Wildfire risk (30.15) remains below regional concerns, making wind and water the dominant hazard drivers in this county.

Secure comprehensive wind and flood coverage

Saline County homeowners should prioritize tornado and hail insurance, ensuring adequate wind-damage protection in their policies. Flood insurance is equally critical given the 58.49 flood risk score, and families should maintain updated emergency kits with storm shelter plans.

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.