CountyScore

Taylor County

Iowa · IA

#39 in Iowa
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Taylor County, Iowa

Taylor County ranks above the nation

Taylor County's composite score of 70.9 places it in the 71st percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This reflects strong overall livability by U.S. standards.

Ranks among Iowa's best counties

At 70.9, Taylor County exceeds Iowa's 69.3 state average and ranks in the state's top tier. It's one of Iowa's most consistently livable communities.

Unbeatable housing affordability

Taylor County's cost score of 84.0 is the highest in this group, with the lowest median home value of $109,700 and median rent of just $707/month. This makes it the most affordable county for housing seekers.

Income and health lag slightly

The income score of 27.3 with a median household income of $67,279 is among the lowest, and the health score of 73.7 trails stronger performers. These suggest limited wage growth and moderate healthcare access.

Ideal for cost-conscious seekers

Taylor County is perfect for families, retirees, and anyone prioritizing maximum housing affordability and low living costs. It suits those willing to accept lower incomes and moderate health services in exchange for the best value in this county group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.2Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.3Risk61.5WaterComing Soon
🏛68.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.5
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 Taylor County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elmore County
Alabama
70.9
Median income: $75,553
Randolph County
Arkansas
70.9
Median income: $52,838
Wilcox County
Georgia
70.9
Median income: $48,036
Putnam County
Illinois
70.9
Median income: $77,526
Greene County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $59,159

Deep Dives

Taylor County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Taylor County

via TaxByCounty

Taylor County offers attractive tax rates

Taylor County's effective tax rate of 1.212% sits just slightly above the national median of 1.1%, offering reasonable tax burden compared to the nation. The median property tax of $1,329 runs just 51% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting significantly lower home values in the county.

Below Iowa's state average rate

Taylor County's 1.212% effective rate is noticeably lower than Iowa's state average of 1.344%, saving homeowners money compared to the typical Iowa county. The median tax bill of $1,329 is also well below the state median of $2,160.

Among the most affordable in the region

Taylor County's 1.212% rate is lower than most regional peers, beaten only by Sac County's 1.028%. It sits well below Tama County's 1.390% and Story County's 1.472%.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $109,700 median-valued home in Taylor County pays approximately $1,329 annually in property taxes. That's just $111 per month—among the most affordable in Iowa.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, assessments should be checked for accuracy. If you believe your home is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales in Taylor County, you can appeal for a potential reduction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Taylor County

via CostByCounty

Taylor County offers national-leading affordability

Taylor County renters spend just 12.6% of income on housing, matching Sioux County as the best performance against the national average of 14.1%. At $707 monthly, median rent ranks among Iowa's lowest, delivering genuine relief for cost-conscious households.

Among Iowa's most affordable counties

Taylor County's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 14.1%, placing it in Iowa's affordability elite. Median rent of $707 runs $105 below Iowa's median, making Taylor County a standout for renters prioritizing low costs.

Competitive with most affordable rural peers

Taylor County's $707 rent nearly matches Sac County ($643) and beats Shelby ($810) and Tama ($865) substantially. Median home values of $109,700—lowest in this survey—reinforce Taylor County's status as a genuine affordability destination.

Housing takes modest income share

With median income of $67,279, Taylor County residents allocate just 12.6% to rent or 13.8% to mortgage payments, providing exceptional financial flexibility. This leaves substantially more income for savings, investments, and living expenses compared to state norms.

Taylor County maximizes housing affordability

If affordability is your top priority, Taylor County delivers both lowest rents and lowest home values in this Iowa survey. At $707 monthly rent and exceptional cost ratios, Taylor County enables maximum household financial flexibility—ideal for those relocating to stretch every dollar.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taylor County

via IncomeByCounty

Taylor's income significantly below national

Taylor County's median household income of $67,279 falls approximately 10% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap is among the largest in this group, reflecting Taylor's rural character and limited economic diversification.

Well below Iowa average

Taylor County's $67,279 median household income trails Iowa's state average of $69,830 by roughly $2,550. Taylor ranks in the lower half of Iowa's 99 counties for household earnings.

Lower earnings among comparison counties

Taylor County's $67,279 income exceeds only Union County ($56,813) among these eight counties. Tama ($67,955), Shelby ($67,690), and Story ($69,006) all earn slightly more, while Sac, Scott, and Sioux significantly outpace Taylor.

Most affordable homes in the group

Taylor County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% and median home value of $109,700 are the lowest among these eight counties, making homeownership highly accessible. This affordability advantage is Taylor's strongest economic asset.

Leverage affordability for financial growth

Taylor County's exceptionally low housing costs allow households to redirect income toward savings, debt reduction, and investments. Residents should prioritize building emergency funds and exploring first-time homebuyer programs to lock in affordable housing equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Taylor County

via HealthByCounty

Taylor County faces longevity crisis

At 76.0 years, Taylor County residents live 2.9 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years—the lowest among all eight counties. With 16.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county struggles with population health outcomes.

Iowa's lowest life expectancy county

Taylor County's 76.0-year life expectancy is 1.7 years below Iowa's 77.7-year average and the lowest in the entire state among these counties. This represents a significant health deficit compared to state norms.

Severe health disadvantage versus neighbors

Taylor County's 76.0-year life expectancy lags all neighboring counties, trailing Story County (81.5 years) by 5.5 years and Sioux County (82.6 years) by 6.6 years. The county also has the region's lowest access to mental health providers at just 17 per 100K.

Provider shortage compounds health crisis

Taylor County has 51 primary care providers per 100K—above Tama County but below most neighbors—yet only 17 mental health providers per 100K, the region's lowest. The 6.7% uninsured rate is the highest among the eight counties, leaving vulnerable residents without healthcare access.

Urgent: secure health insurance now

Taylor County's 6.7% uninsured rate—the highest in the eight-county region—combined with limited provider access, makes insurance critical. Contact Healthcare.gov at 1-800-318-2596 immediately to explore Medicaid and marketplace options and connect with available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Taylor County

via RiskByCounty

Taylor County's risk near the national median

With a composite risk score of 38.49 and a Very Low rating, Taylor County sits just slightly below the national average. This represents a manageable risk level compared to many U.S. counties.

Taylor ranks just below Iowa average

At 38.49, Taylor County stays just under Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it firmly in the lower half of the state's risk distribution. Multiple Iowa counties rank both safer and considerably riskier.

Taylor balances safety with moderate risks

Taylor County's 38.49 score sits between safer Shelby County (22.77) and higher-risk Tama County (45.32) and Sioux County (52.39). It occupies a moderate risk position in its region.

Tornadoes present the primary threat

Tornado risk (54.26) represents Taylor County's main hazard concern, while wildfire (36.55) ranks second. Flood risk (20.87) and earthquake risk (18.51) remain relatively minor factors.

Basic protective measures suffice

Taylor County residents benefit from a standard homeowner's policy that includes tornado and wind coverage. Designate a safe room in your home and stay alert during severe weather season.

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.