Todd County's composite score of 76.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 26 points, securing its place among the nation's most livable counties. This performance reflects particularly strong advantages in taxation and housing costs.
2 / 5
Among Kentucky's Top-Performing Counties
Todd County scores 76.2 against Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking it among the state's most livable counties with a 1.2-point advantage. It stands as a genuine leader in Kentucky's competitive county landscape.
3 / 5
Lowest Tax Rate and Excellent Affordability
Todd County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight at 0.553%, with a tax score of 86.7—its strongest dimension by far. Housing affordability is equally strong with rents averaging $841/month and home values at $157,400, creating maximum financial breathing room.
4 / 5
Limited Income Potential
Todd County's income score of 21.1 reflects a median household income of $57,759, among the lowest regionally and constraining economic opportunity. Data gaps on safety, health, education, and environment prevent a complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Premier Choice for Financially Optimized Living
Todd County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and value-focused families seeking the absolute lowest taxes and housing costs without income growth demands. Its exceptional tax efficiency and affordability create the most financially optimized living situation in the region.
Todd County's composite score of 76.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 26 points, securing its place among the nation's most livable counties. This performance reflects particularly strong advantages in taxation and housing costs.
Among Kentucky's Top-Performing Counties
Todd County scores 76.2 against Kentucky's state average of 75.0, ranking it among the state's most livable counties with a 1.2-point advantage. It stands as a genuine leader in Kentucky's competitive county landscape.
Lowest Tax Rate and Excellent Affordability
Todd County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight at 0.553%, with a tax score of 86.7—its strongest dimension by far. Housing affordability is equally strong with rents averaging $841/month and home values at $157,400, creating maximum financial breathing room.
Limited Income Potential
Todd County's income score of 21.1 reflects a median household income of $57,759, among the lowest regionally and constraining economic opportunity. Data gaps on safety, health, education, and environment prevent a complete livability picture.
Premier Choice for Financially Optimized Living
Todd County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and value-focused families seeking the absolute lowest taxes and housing costs without income growth demands. Its exceptional tax efficiency and affordability create the most financially optimized living situation in the region.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Todd County's effective tax rate of 0.553% ranks among the absolute lowest in the United States, dramatically undercutting the national median of 0.876%. The median property tax of $870 is just one-third the national median of $2,690, offering exceptional value for property owners. Todd County represents a genuine national outlier for tax affordability.
Lowest burden in Kentucky by far
Todd County's 0.553% rate significantly undercuts Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, and its $870 median tax is the lowest among all eight counties studied. Todd offers unmatched tax affordability within Kentucky, attracting budget-conscious homebuyers seeking minimal property tax exposure.
Todd leads region in tax relief
Todd County's 0.553% rate beats Trigg County (0.555%) and every other county in this peer group, delivering the region's most favorable tax environment. Combined with modest property values of $157,400, Todd provides exceptional overall affordability.
What Todd County homeowners pay
With a median home value of $157,400, Todd County residents pay approximately $870 annually—the lowest figure in this entire study. With a mortgage, that burden rises to $1,033; without one, it drops to $536.
Even low taxes deserve review
Todd County's exceptionally low rates don't eliminate the need for periodic assessment verification; overvaluation affects all counties. Homeowners should confirm their assessments align with market values and file appeals if discrepancies emerge.
Todd County renters meet national affordability norms
Todd County renters spend 17.5% of their $57,759 median household income on housing—slightly above the national average but nearly matching Kentucky's 17.0% state average. While the rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, Todd's below-average household income means renters face real budget constraints despite typical regional costs.
Average affordability among Kentucky counties
Todd County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the state average of 17.0%, placing it squarely in Kentucky's middle tier for rental affordability. The county offers neither exceptional relief nor significant strain relative to statewide norms.
Mid-range costs in a varied landscape
Todd County's $841 median rent sits between bargain Taylor County ($691) and pricier Simpson County ($1,011), while the $157,400 median home value is the second-lowest in the region. Todd's positioning reflects its role as a rural but accessible county between cheaper and more expensive markets.
Homeownership offers modest relief
Renters in Todd County spend 17.5% of income on the $841 median rent, while homeowners dedicate 15.4% toward monthly costs of $741. The $100 monthly difference makes Todd's ownership market slightly more favorable than its rental market.
Todd works for homebuyers with modest means
Todd County's lower home prices ($157,400) and modest owner costs ($741) make it appealing for budget-conscious homebuyers with stable but modest incomes. Renters should compare Todd to nearby Taylor County's superior affordability or Shelby County's stronger income base before deciding to relocate here.
Todd County's median household income of $57,759 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 22.7%, reflecting economic challenges in rural western Kentucky. The gap underscores regional development needs.
Slightly above Kentucky average
Todd County's median income of $57,759 ranks just 3.3% above the state average of $55,909, placing it in Kentucky's lower-middle tier. The county tracks closely with broader state economic trends.
Todd faces stiff regional competition
Todd County's $57,759 household income barely edges Simpson County ($57,392) and falls significantly behind Trimble County ($67,813) and Taylor County ($61,871). Its per capita income of $29,483 ranks slightly above the state average but lags wealthier neighbors.
Housing costs press household budgets
At 17.5%, Todd County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 20% comfort threshold, suggesting housing costs consume a notable share of household income. The median home value of $157,400 remains affordable but requires discipline in household budgeting.
Maximize low housing costs for savings
Todd County residents benefit from some of the region's lowest housing costs, freeing income for savings and financial goals. Prioritize building an emergency fund and exploring employer-sponsored retirement plans to create a foundation for long-term wealth accumulation.
At 73.0 years, Todd County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 74.4 years by 1.4 years. With 27.2% reporting poor or fair health—the worst rate in the region—Todd residents face severe daily wellness challenges that demand urgent attention.
Bottom Tier of State Health
Todd County's 73.0-year life expectancy sits slightly above Kentucky's 72.2-year average, but its 27.2% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the state. This disconnect signals acute health crises despite average longevity.
Regional Health Crisis
Todd County's 27.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest among all peer counties—5 percentage points worse than Simpson (21.0%) and Spencer (20.2%). Its 73.0-year life expectancy ties Simpson but trails all other regional peers.
Severe Care Gaps and Coverage Crisis
Todd County has critically low provider access with just 16 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in the region—and 56 mental health providers per 100,000. Most alarmingly, 12.7% are uninsured, nearly double Kentucky's 7.0% average, creating a perfect storm for poor health outcomes.
Get Covered Immediately
Todd County's 12.7% uninsured rate is a health emergency that demands action. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov today to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace coverage—securing insurance is your lifeline to the limited primary care available.
Todd County scores 28.56 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating well below Kentucky's state average of 44.21. This places Todd among America's safer counties for natural disaster exposure.
Where Todd ranks among Kentucky counties
Todd County's composite risk score of 28.56 ranks it as one of Kentucky's safest counties, with consistently low exposure across most hazard types. Todd residents benefit from well-below-average natural disaster risk statewide.
How Todd compares to nearby counties
Todd's 28.56 score closely mirrors Simpson County (27.00) and significantly beats Scott County (56.08) and Shelby County (61.86). Todd offers comparable safety to the region's lowest-risk counties, with substantially better protection than higher-risk neighbors.
Todd's minimal natural disaster threats
Earthquakes represent Todd's highest hazard risk at 77.32, though tornado exposure at 55.12 also warrants modest attention. Both scores fall below dangerous thresholds, reflecting Todd's overall safe profile.
Basic coverage protects Todd County homes
Todd's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for most residents. Consider earthquake coverage given Todd's relatively elevated seismic vulnerability score of 77.32.