Trego County's composite score of 70.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, ranking it among stronger U.S. counties for livability. The advantage stems from exceptional housing affordability paired with low effective tax rates.
2 / 5
Kansas leader in the livability index
At 70.1, Trego County edges out the Kansas state average of 66.0, placing it in the top tier of the state's counties. This performance reflects the county's competitive strength in cost-of-living factors.
3 / 5
Housing costs are remarkably low
Trego County boasts the strongest housing affordability among these counties with a cost score of 86.4, featuring a median home value of just $115,400 and rent at $694 per month. The tax burden is manageable at 1.456% effective rate, maximizing disposable income for residents.
4 / 5
Incomes remain modest by national standards
The income score of 31.3 reflects a median household income of $73,375, limiting upward mobility and professional advancement opportunities. Critical dimensions like school quality, safety, and health services lack data, preventing a complete assessment.
5 / 5
Budget frontier for cost-conscious settlers
Trego County appeals to those prioritizing rock-bottom housing and living costs over career advancement and urban amenities. Families seeking maximum purchasing power and a quiet rural lifestyle will find genuine value in this county's affordability profile.
Trego County's composite score of 70.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, ranking it among stronger U.S. counties for livability. The advantage stems from exceptional housing affordability paired with low effective tax rates.
Kansas leader in the livability index
At 70.1, Trego County edges out the Kansas state average of 66.0, placing it in the top tier of the state's counties. This performance reflects the county's competitive strength in cost-of-living factors.
Housing costs are remarkably low
Trego County boasts the strongest housing affordability among these counties with a cost score of 86.4, featuring a median home value of just $115,400 and rent at $694 per month. The tax burden is manageable at 1.456% effective rate, maximizing disposable income for residents.
Incomes remain modest by national standards
The income score of 31.3 reflects a median household income of $73,375, limiting upward mobility and professional advancement opportunities. Critical dimensions like school quality, safety, and health services lack data, preventing a complete assessment.
Budget frontier for cost-conscious settlers
Trego County appeals to those prioritizing rock-bottom housing and living costs over career advancement and urban amenities. Families seeking maximum purchasing power and a quiet rural lifestyle will find genuine value in this county's affordability profile.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛61.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
With an effective tax rate of 1.456%, Trego County sits just below the national median of 1.55%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,680 is notably lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's more modest home values.
Slightly above Kansas average
Trego County's 1.456% rate edges slightly below the Kansas state average of 1.549%. At a median tax of $1,680, the county is competitive statewide, though homeowners pay less than the Kansas median tax of $1,943.
Mid-range among surrounding counties
Trego County's 1.456% rate falls between the lower-taxed Thomas County (1.321%) and the higher-taxed Wallace County (1.538%). It represents a balanced tax environment for northwest Kansas.
Affordable taxes on modest homes
The median home in Trego County is valued at $115,400, with annual property taxes of $1,680. That works out to roughly $140 per month—one of the lowest tax burdens in the state on an actual tax bill basis.
Review your assessment for savings
Even in lower-taxed counties like Trego, assessment errors are common and often cost homeowners hundreds of dollars. Requesting a property tax appeal is free and could reveal whether your home's assessed value is inflated.
At 11.3% of income, Trego County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable housing markets. With median household income of $73,375 nearly matching the national median of $74,755, renters here enjoy exceptional shelter cost relief.
Kansas's Affordability Champion
Trego County's 11.3% rent-to-income ratio significantly outperforms Kansas's 14.7% state average, making it one of the state's most housing-affordable counties. At $694/month, median rent falls $93 below the state average.
Lowest Rent in the Region
Trego County's $694 monthly rent undercuts Thomas County ($753) and Wabaunsee County ($771), offering renters the region's deepest affordability. Its median home value of $115,400 also represents solid entry-level homeownership compared to neighboring counties.
Exceptional Renter and Owner Value
Renters pay just $694/month while owners spend $637—a rare scenario where mortgages cost less than rent against the $73,375 median income. Housing consumes only 11% of income for renters and 10% for owners, freeing cash for savings and life priorities.
Budget-Conscious Relocators Take Note
Trego County's twin advantages—low rent and low mortgage costs—make it ideal for homebuyers and renters seeking maximum affordability. If housing flexibility matters in your relocation decision, this northwest Kansas county delivers measurable cost savings.
Trego County's median household income of $73,375 falls just $1,380 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, putting it in solid national standing. This near-parity with the national average is impressive for a county of its size and rural character.
Second-Highest Income in Kansas
At $73,375, Trego County ranks as one of Kansas's top earners, exceeding the state average by 14%. The county's per capita income of $43,336 is the highest among Kansas's rural counties, suggesting both strong household earnings and broad-based prosperity.
Just Shy of Thomas County's Lead
Trego County trails Thomas County by only $200 in median household income, making these two northwest Kansas neighbors the region's economic powerhouses. Both counties significantly outpace Wallace ($60,263) and Decatur counties to the west.
Rent Takes a Smaller Bite Here
Trego County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.3% is among the lowest in the state, meaning housing costs consume a minimal share of household budgets. With a median home value of just $115,400, homeownership is genuinely affordable on local incomes.
Your Affordability Edge Creates Opportunity
Because housing consumes less than 12% of income in Trego County, families have more discretionary money to invest in education, small business, or retirement accounts. Strategic financial planning today creates generational wealth tomorrow.
Trego County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 80.3 years, placing them among the longest-lived Americans—4.2 years above the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With a 14.0% poor/fair health rate, the county beats the national average of 15.3%.
Top performer in Kansas health
At 80.3 years, Trego County's life expectancy ranks among Kansas's healthiest counties, exceeding the state average of 75.4 years by nearly 5 years. This exceptional performance reflects strong community health outcomes.
Among region's healthiest communities
Trego County leads its neighboring counties with the second-highest life expectancy in this eight-county group and matches regional health perception rates. The county's 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents support accessible healthcare delivery.
Strong coverage with access gaps
Trego County's uninsured rate of 10.8% sits below both the state average of 11.5% and national trends, indicating good coverage penetration. The county provides 72 primary care providers and 147 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring most residents can access care nearby.
Secure your family's health plan
Even with Trego County's strong insurance coverage, 10.8% of residents remain uninsured—a gap worth closing. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health plan navigator to find coverage that fits your budget.
At 2.70, Trego County has one of the lowest composite risk scores in the nation, earning a "Very Low" rating. Your county faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the typical American county.
Kansas's safest county overall
Trego County scores 2.70—far below Kansas's state average of 29.89—making it the safest county in the state by composite risk. This exceptional safety profile reflects diverse hazard management across your region.
Safest in a low-risk region
At 2.70, Trego County significantly outperforms its neighbors, including Thomas County (9.45) and Gove County. You live in one of the most secure areas of western Kansas.
Wildfire dominates risk profile
Wildfire risk (46.82) is unusually high relative to your low overall score, reflecting grassland fire potential in the region. Tornado (29.04) and earthquake (10.21) risks remain minimal by comparison.
Focus on wildfire preparedness
Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home by removing dead vegetation and trimming trees. Verify that your homeowners policy explicitly covers wildfire damage and keep gutters clear of debris.