St. Clair County's composite score of 77.4 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 55th percentile of U.S. counties. This is one of the stronger-performing rural counties in the nation.
2 / 5
Among Missouri's best performers
With a score of 77.4, St. Clair County exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8 and ranks among the top-tier counties statewide. It stands out as one of the state's most livable communities.
3 / 5
Ultra-low taxes and deep affordability
St. Clair County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.639%, with a tax score of 84.3 and a cost score of 88.0. Median home values of $142,500 and rents of just $607/month make it exceptionally affordable for rural America.
4 / 5
Income generation lags significantly
An income score of just 13.9 and median household income of $46,731 represent the county's primary weakness. Safety, school, health, and environmental data are currently unavailable, leaving gaps in the complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for penny-wise rural dwellers
St. Clair County is ideal for retirees and families willing to trade income potential for rock-bottom living costs and taxes. This is where your money stretches furthest in Missouri.
St. Clair County's composite score of 77.4 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 55th percentile of U.S. counties. This is one of the stronger-performing rural counties in the nation.
Among Missouri's best performers
With a score of 77.4, St. Clair County exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8 and ranks among the top-tier counties statewide. It stands out as one of the state's most livable communities.
Ultra-low taxes and deep affordability
St. Clair County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.639%, with a tax score of 84.3 and a cost score of 88.0. Median home values of $142,500 and rents of just $607/month make it exceptionally affordable for rural America.
Income generation lags significantly
An income score of just 13.9 and median household income of $46,731 represent the county's primary weakness. Safety, school, health, and environmental data are currently unavailable, leaving gaps in the complete livability picture.
Perfect for penny-wise rural dwellers
St. Clair County is ideal for retirees and families willing to trade income potential for rock-bottom living costs and taxes. This is where your money stretches furthest in Missouri.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
St. Clair County's effective tax rate of 0.639% falls below the national median of 0.71%, placing it in the 38th percentile nationally. Despite a median home value of $142,500—below the national median of $281,900—the county's tax burden remains light. This combination makes St. Clair an affordable tax environment by national standards.
Below Missouri's state average
At 0.639%, St. Clair County's effective rate is 13% lower than Missouri's state average of 0.733%. The median property tax of $911 falls significantly below the state median of $1,199. St. Clair ranks among the state's most tax-friendly counties for property owners.
Lowest taxes in the eastern region
St. Clair County ties with Ste. Genevieve County at 0.638%–0.639%, making them the region's tax leaders. Neighboring Stoddard County (0.654%) and St. Francois County (0.749%) carry noticeably higher burdens. St. Clair's favorable rate has helped attract homebuyers seeking affordable living in eastern Missouri.
Your $142,500 home costs $911 annually
A median-value home in St. Clair County generates an estimated annual property tax of $911—or about $76 per month. With mortgage escrow included, owners pay approximately $1,066 annually. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $27,330 in property taxes.
St. Clair homeowners can still appeal assessments
Even in lower-tax counties like St. Clair, some properties are overvalued on assessor's rolls, creating savings opportunities. The county assessor accepts formal challenges during appeal windows. Homeowners dissatisfied with their assessed value can request a reassessment without significant cost or complexity.
St. Clair County renters face a 15.6% rent-to-income ratio that matches Missouri's state average exactly, though household incomes ($46,731) trail the national median by 38%. At $607/month, rents remain modest, but the lower income base makes housing a tighter squeeze for many residents.
Middle-ground affordability statewide
St. Clair ranks near the median for Missouri counties, with a 15.6% rent-to-income ratio that equals the state average and rents just $161 above the state median. This positions it as neither exceptional nor strained compared to its peers.
Affordable by regional comparison
St. Clair's $607 rent trails St. Francois County ($786) and Stoddard County ($737), matching Shelby County's affordability while incomes fall short. Home values of $142,500 sit in the middle of the peer group, offering moderate entry points for buyers.
Tight housing budgets in St. Clair
A St. Clair household earning $46,731 annually ($3,894/month) dedicates $607 to rent or $637 to mortgage, consuming 15-16% of gross income. This leaves roughly $3,250 monthly for all other expenses, requiring careful budgeting in households with additional dependents.
Budget-conscious rural Missouri option
St. Clair County suits households prioritizing low housing costs over urban amenities, offering below-average rents and manageable home prices. If you currently spend more than 20% on housing, St. Clair could reduce that burden by $100+ monthly while maintaining community stability.
St. Clair Income Significantly Below National Median
St. Clair County's median household income of $46,731 falls $28,024 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This substantial gap positions St. Clair among the lower-income counties nationally.
St. Clair Ranks Lowest in the Region
At $46,731, St. Clair's median household income trails Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $12,772. The county ranks in the lowest quarter of Missouri's 114 counties by income.
St. Clair Neighbors Earn Noticeably More
St. Clair's $46,731 median income is the lowest among nearby counties, with neighbors Shelby ($52,127) and St. Francois ($54,813) earning notably more. St. Louis County residents earn nearly twice as much at $81,340.
Housing Affordability Eases Income Pressure
St. Clair's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% remains sustainable, though higher than Shelby's 13.1%, showing housing remains accessible. The median home value of $142,500 stays within reach for local wage earners.
Start Small, Build Steadily
St. Clair residents can build wealth incrementally through employer 401(k) matches, automatic savings plans, and small monthly investments. Even modest contributions of $50–100 monthly compound significantly over 20–30 years.
At 75.0 years, St. Clair's life expectancy falls slightly below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, and 22.1% of adults report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 21%. These figures suggest St. Clair residents experience chronic illness and premature mortality at rates slightly worse than the American norm.
St. Clair ranks below Missouri's middle tier
St. Clair's 75.0-year life expectancy is 0.7 years below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. The uninsured rate of 12.3% closely mirrors Missouri's 12.5% average, indicating standard access barriers for the region.
St. Clair trails healthier neighbors
St. Clair's 75.0-year life expectancy lags Ste. Genevieve (76.5) by 1.5 years and St. Louis County (76.3) by 1.3 years, though it exceeds St. Francois (71.9). With 43 primary care providers and 31 mental health providers per 100K, St. Clair has moderate but not abundant healthcare capacity compared to wealthier neighbors.
Limited mental health services strain residents
St. Clair has 43 primary care providers per 100K, offering reasonable access to routine medicine, but only 31 mental health providers per 100K—a gap that may force residents to travel for behavioral health care. With 12.3% uninsured, cost barriers likely compound delays in both primary and mental health treatment.
Take action to secure health coverage
St. Clair's healthcare gaps make insurance coverage critical; if you're uninsured, federal marketplace plans with income-based subsidies may cost less than you expect. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans and get enrolled.
St. Clair County's composite risk score of 25.64 qualifies as "Very Low," less than half the national average. Most residents here face substantially lower natural disaster threats than typical Americans.
Among Missouri's Safest Communities
At 25.64, St. Clair County's score is just over half of Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the state's lower-risk tier. The county provides meaningful protection compared to higher-hazard Missouri regions.
Safer Than Most Area Counties
St. Clair County (25.64) is notably safer than Ste. Genevieve County (54.61) and St. Francois County (78.53) nearby, though slightly riskier than Shelby County (15.94). It represents a favorable middle ground in the region.
Wildfire and Earthquake Pose Main Concerns
St. Clair County's highest risks are wildfire (53.15) and earthquake (41.70), followed by more modest flood (35.85) and tornado (36.07) exposure. Wildfire preparedness should be a priority for rural properties.
Targeted Coverage Protects Against Key Threats
St. Clair County homeowners should ensure earthquake and wildfire coverage are included in their policies, particularly those in rural areas. Standard homeowners insurance may not cover all wildfire damage without specific riders.