Sullivan County's composite score of 75.9 towers above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties for livability. This 52% advantage reflects fundamentally favorable conditions in tax and housing costs.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Missouri's Average
Sullivan County edges above Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it a reliable choice compared to other counties in the state. Its performance confirms it offers competitive living conditions for Missourians.
3 / 5
Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes
Sullivan County shines with an exceptional cost score of 85.6 and a tax score of 81.6, with median rent at just $692 per month and median home values of $103,300. The effective tax rate of 0.736% keeps the overall cost of living remarkably low.
4 / 5
Income Remains the Primary Limitation
The income score of 19.6 indicates a median household income of only $55,500, suggesting limited earning opportunities or wages in the area. Critical data on safety, health, education, and environmental quality is currently unavailable.
5 / 5
Perfect for Minimalists and Remote Workers
Sullivan County is ideal for anyone seeking the lowest possible cost of living—remote workers, retirees, or those relocating from expensive regions. The minimal housing and tax burden make it excellent for households with fixed incomes or those prioritizing financial security over earning potential.
Sullivan County's composite score of 75.9 towers above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties for livability. This 52% advantage reflects fundamentally favorable conditions in tax and housing costs.
Slightly Above Missouri's Average
Sullivan County edges above Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it a reliable choice compared to other counties in the state. Its performance confirms it offers competitive living conditions for Missourians.
Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes
Sullivan County shines with an exceptional cost score of 85.6 and a tax score of 81.6, with median rent at just $692 per month and median home values of $103,300. The effective tax rate of 0.736% keeps the overall cost of living remarkably low.
Income Remains the Primary Limitation
The income score of 19.6 indicates a median household income of only $55,500, suggesting limited earning opportunities or wages in the area. Critical data on safety, health, education, and environmental quality is currently unavailable.
Perfect for Minimalists and Remote Workers
Sullivan County is ideal for anyone seeking the lowest possible cost of living—remote workers, retirees, or those relocating from expensive regions. The minimal housing and tax burden make it excellent for households with fixed incomes or those prioritizing financial security over earning potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Sullivan County's effective tax rate of 0.736% nearly matches Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it near the middle of the national distribution. The median annual tax of $760 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the lower home values in this rural county.
Typical Missouri tax burden for Sullivan
At 0.736%, Sullivan County's rate ranks near the statewide average and sits in the middle tier of Missouri's 114 counties. Despite collecting close to the state median tax amount, Sullivan County's much lower home values mean residents pay considerably less in absolute dollars than state averages suggest.
In line with rural north-central region
Sullivan County's 0.736% rate aligns closely with neighboring Vernon County (0.710%) and sits slightly higher than the statewide average. In the rural north-central region, Sullivan County represents a typical tax environment for homeowners.
A $103,300 home costs $760 yearly
Sullivan County's median home value of $103,300 generates an estimated annual property tax of just $760. With a mortgage, that climbs to $911 as lenders typically escrow taxes, while homeowners without mortgages pay approximately $679.
Appeal overassessed property valuations
Sullivan County homeowners who believe their properties are overvalued can file a free appeal with the county assessor. Many rural properties in Sullivan County are assessed above fair market value, and appeals frequently result in lower tax bills.
Sullivan County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national baseline, making it one of the more affordable rental markets relative to resident incomes. At just $692 per month, median rent aligns closely with state averages, while the $55,500 median household income reflects a rural, modest-wage economy.
Missouri's most affordable county for renters
Sullivan County leads Missouri in rental affordability, with a 15.0% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 15.6% and its own rental cost of $692. This county punches above its weight for residents seeking low housing cost burdens.
Cheapest rents in the region
Sullivan County's $692 median rent significantly undercuts Stone County ($892) and Taney County ($925), making it the most affordable option for renters in this corner of Missouri. Even renters earning the county's modest $55,500 median income find relief here.
Rent and mortgages nearly equal here
Sullivan County renters pay $692 monthly while homeowners carry $693 in costs—nearly identical figures reflecting balanced affordability. At $55,500 median household income, housing consumes just 15.0% of gross income for renters and 15.0% for owners.
Rural affordability with trade-offs
Sullivan County offers the cheapest rents in the region at $692, ideal for cost-conscious renters, though median home values of just $103,300 suggest limited equity-building potential. Job availability and amenities may be scarcer than in wealthier, more urban counties.
Sullivan County's median household income of $55,500 is 26% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic conditions that challenge many families. This gap underscores the need for targeted economic development and wage growth strategies in the county.
Below average for Missouri households
Sullivan County's $55,500 median income falls nearly $4,000 below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower-middle tier of county rankings. The per capita income of $27,916 also lags the state average of $31,011.
Moderate income in a rural region
Sullivan County ranks third among nearby Ozark counties—Stone County ($61,323) and Taney County ($58,258) both earn more, though Vernon County ($54,519) earns slightly less. This positioning reflects Sullivan's role as a smaller rural economy.
Rent-to-income ratio signals affordability
Sullivan County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% is among the best in the region, well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $103,300 aligns well with household earning power, making homeownership attainable for many families.
Smart savings can build financial security
Despite modest household incomes, Sullivan County's low housing burden means families can redirect savings into emergency funds and retirement accounts. Seek out low-cost investment options and employer 401(k) matches to grow wealth over time.
Sullivan County's life expectancy of 74.7 years matches the U.S. average of 74.5 years, but 23.8% of adults report poor or fair health—significantly higher than the national rate of 21%. This gap suggests Sullivan residents experience more chronic illness and health challenges than typical Americans.
Below average among Missouri counties
Sullivan County's 74.7-year life expectancy falls just above Missouri's 74.3 average, but the county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate is notably higher than the state average. This pattern indicates Sullivan residents face more health struggles despite similar life expectancy.
Struggling compared to nearby counties
Sullivan County's 23.8% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in its region, exceeding Stone County (18.7%) and Taney County (20.9%). The county's 74.7-year life expectancy also trails nearby Warren County (75.6 years), marking it as a health challenge area.
Better insurance coverage, limited mental health data
Sullivan County's 12.0% uninsured rate actually beats Missouri's 12.5% average, and primary care providers are plentiful at 34 per 100,000. However, mental health provider data is unavailable, leaving questions about access to behavioral health services in the county.
Strengthen your health safety net
Even with 12% of Sullivan County uninsured, expanding coverage remains critical given the high rates of reported poor or fair health. Contact the Missouri marketplace or local health department to confirm your coverage and discuss preventive care options.
Sullivan County's composite risk score of 10.11 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average and in the safer tier of U.S. counties. This low exposure suggests residents face relatively modest cumulative natural disaster threats compared to the broader American landscape.
Missouri's lowest-risk county
Sullivan County's 10.11 composite score is dramatically lower than Missouri's 50.56 state average, making it one of the state's safest jurisdictions. This exceptional resilience reflects the county's geography and lower exposure across most major hazard categories.
Sheltered compared to peers
Sullivan County (10.11) stands apart from surrounding counties like Putnam and Adair, offering notably lower cumulative risk exposure. Even within northern Missouri's generally moderate-risk profile, Sullivan emerges as an outlier refuge from natural disaster threats.
Wildfire and tornado deserve attention
Wildfire risk reaches 42.62 and tornado risk hits 47.71 in Sullivan County, the highest relative hazards in the region though still below state averages. Flood exposure (12.37) and earthquake risk (21.76) remain minimal, giving residents a clearer, more manageable risk profile.
Standard coverage typically sufficient
Sullivan County's low overall risk means a standard homeowners policy generally provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, review tornado and severe wind provisions with your agent to ensure adequate wind damage coverage during spring storm season.