Stafford County

Kansas · KS

#41 in Kansas
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Stafford County, Kansas

Stafford County outperforms national average

Stafford's composite score of 68.2 places it in the 73rd percentile nationally, well above the median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong livability across measured dimensions, competitive with well-performing regions nationwide.

Top performer in Kansas

At 68.2, Stafford exceeds Kansas's state average of 66.0, ranking among the state's strongest counties. It consistently delivers above-average livability by Kansas standards.

High affordability and low taxes

Stafford's cost score of 86.3 reflects median rent of just $613 per month and median home values of $96,700. With a 1.556% effective tax rate, the county delivers genuine economic value for residents.

Limited local income potential

Median household income of $63,786 with an income score of 25.0 suggests modest wage opportunities in the local job market. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available.

Best for affordability-focused families

Stafford County suits remote workers, retirees, and families seeking minimal housing costs in Kansas. It's an excellent choice for anyone with external income sources who values low cost of living and reasonable taxes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.5Cost86.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk77WaterComing Soon
🏛58.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
77
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Stafford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stafford County

via TaxByCounty

Stafford taxes well below national

Stafford County's 1.556% effective rate sits slightly below the national median of 1.624%, while annual taxes of $1,505 run $1,185 below the national median of $2,690. With median home values of $96,700—just 34% of the national average—Stafford represents genuinely affordable property ownership.

Just above Kansas average

At 1.556%, Stafford's rate edges above the Kansas state average of 1.549%, placing it in the mid-range statewide. The median annual tax of $1,505 falls well short of the state median of $1,943 because homes command lower values than the Kansas norm.

Lower than most western peers

Stafford's 1.556% rate tracks closely with Sheridan (1.534%) and remains well below Stanton's outlier 2.470% and Stevens's 1.798%. A median-valued home costs $1,505 in taxes here—cheaper than Sheridan ($2,331), Sherman ($1,986), and all higher-valued counties.

What $96,700 home costs yearly

A median-valued home in Stafford County generates approximately $1,505 in annual property taxes at the current 1.556% rate. With a mortgage, expect around $1,778 annually; without one, roughly $1,300.

Know your appeal window

Even in Stafford's low-tax environment, overassessed properties exist and deserve challenge. Kansas law permits homeowners to appeal assessments through established channels—worth exploring if your property's valuation hasn't tracked recent comparable sales.

Cost of Living in Stafford County

via CostByCounty

Stafford delivers strong affordability

Stafford County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and Kansas's 14.7% state average, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. The median household income of $63,786 combines with modest rents to create accessible housing.

Top-tier affordability across Kansas

At 11.5%, Stafford's rent-to-income ratio ranks in Kansas's best tier, falling 3.2 percentage points below the state average of 14.7%. The median rent of $613 runs $174 below the state average, underscoring Stafford's housing value.

Competitive pricing in rural Kansas

Stafford's $613 median rent edges out Smith County ($601) as the region's second-lowest, and substantially undercuts Shawnee County's $970. Owner costs at $740 monthly align with other affordable rural counties, making Stafford competitive across tenure types.

Budget-friendly across both pathways

Stafford renters spend 11.5% of income on housing, while homeowners spend roughly 13.9% on owner costs averaging $740 per month. The median home value of $96,700 remains deeply affordable on the $63,786 median household income.

Excellent value for rural relocation

Stafford County ranks among Kansas's best affordability plays: low rents, moderate ownership costs, and reasonable incomes leave healthy financial flexibility. Consider Stafford if you're relocating to rural Kansas and value maximum purchasing power.

Income & Jobs in Stafford County

via IncomeByCounty

Stafford County trails the national average

Stafford County's median household income of $63,786 falls about $10,970 short of the national median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $34,864 slightly exceeds Kansas's state average of $34,748, though household earnings remain below both national and state benchmarks.

Slightly below Kansas median income

Stafford County's median household income of $63,786 sits modestly below Kansas's state average of $64,428 by just $642. This near-parity with state benchmarks places Stafford in the middle tier of Kansas county incomes.

Lower-middle earner in the region

Stafford County's $63,786 median household income ranks sixth among the eight-county comparison group, outearning only Smith ($57,024) and Sumner ($60,348). The county trails Sheridan ($70,000) and Stanton ($70,361) by a meaningful margin.

Excellent affordability index in Stafford

Stafford County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.5% is among the lowest in the region, with median home values near $96,700—offering exceptional affordability. Households earning the county median can comfortably manage housing while building savings.

Leverage Stafford's affordable living

Stafford County households benefit from low housing costs, creating room in the budget for retirement savings and investments despite moderate incomes. Consider automatic transfers to savings accounts and explore employer-sponsored plans to capitalize on the county's affordability advantage.

Health in Stafford County

via HealthByCounty

Stafford's health outcomes lag substantially

At 74.2 years, Stafford County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by roughly 2 years. With a 17.5% poor or fair health rate—well above the national average—Stafford residents experience widespread daily health challenges.

Below-average across health and coverage

Stafford's 74.2-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years below Kansas' 75.4-year average, and its 13.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 11.5%. The county ranks in the lower tier of Kansas health outcomes on both fronts.

Struggling among struggling counties

Stafford's 74.2-year life expectancy is second-worst in this regional peer group, ahead only of Sumner (74.0) and far behind Smith (79.0). With just 25 primary care providers per 100K, Stafford residents face access barriers similar to Sherman and Stanton, limiting preventive care options.

Double hit: few providers, more uninsured

Stafford's 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents a severe shortage for a rural county, and the 13.1% uninsured rate means coverage barriers compound access problems. With 51 mental health providers per 100K, the county at least offers behavioral health services, but geographic or financial barriers may prevent utilization.

Find affordable coverage for your family

With 13.1% uninsured, Stafford residents need immediate action to close coverage gaps. Visit Healthcare.gov, call 211, or contact local community health centers to explore subsidized plans and preventive care options.

Disaster Risk in Stafford County

via RiskByCounty

Stafford presents minimal national risk profile

With a composite risk score of 23.06, Stafford County ranks below both the national average and Kansas's state mean of 29.89. Despite one notable wildfire exposure, the county overall carries low natural disaster risk.

Lower-risk county by state measure

Stafford's 23.06 score positions it safely in Kansas's lower-risk cohort, though its wildfire vulnerability distinguishes it from the absolute safest counties. The county ranks in the safer half statewide.

Wildfire risk distinguishes Stafford locally

While neighboring Pratt and Kiowa counties maintain lower wildfire scores, Stafford's 81.11 wildfire risk stands notably higher—making it a regional outlier for this specific hazard. Other risk types align with surrounding areas.

Wildfire dominates Stafford's hazard profile

Wildfire risk shoots to 81.11, making it Stafford's defining natural disaster exposure and substantially outpacing tornado (38.84) and other hazards. This concentration demands focused fire-season preparation.

Wildfire coverage deserves special attention

Review your homeowners policy specifically for fire and brush coverage given Stafford's elevated wildfire score of 81.11. Defensible space around your home and current gutters become particularly valuable protection investments here.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.