Unicoi County's composite score of 77.7 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, confirming it as a highly livable county by national standards. This score reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax policy.
2 / 5
Exceeding Tennessee's State Average
At 77.7, Unicoi County outperforms Tennessee's state average of 76.3, ranking among the state's stronger performers. It represents the kind of steadily livable county that delivers consistent quality-of-life value.
3 / 5
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Unicoi County delivers outstanding value with a cost score of 86.7 (median home value $168,200, median rent $665/month—lowest in the group) and a tax score of 86.2 with an effective rate of 0.571%. These dual strengths make it exceptionally affordable.
4 / 5
Lowest Income Levels of All Eight Counties
Unicoi County's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of just $50,381, the lowest among the eight profiled. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and infrastructure remains unavailable, limiting full livability assessment.
5 / 5
Ideal for Fixed-Income Retirees and Minimalists
Unicoi County is perfect for retirees, Social Security recipients, and families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and taxes above career advancement. Its exceptional affordability makes it one of Tennessee's most economical living options, though income constraints may limit it to those with established financial security.
Unicoi County's composite score of 77.7 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, confirming it as a highly livable county by national standards. This score reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax policy.
Exceeding Tennessee's State Average
At 77.7, Unicoi County outperforms Tennessee's state average of 76.3, ranking among the state's stronger performers. It represents the kind of steadily livable county that delivers consistent quality-of-life value.
Exceptional Affordability and Low Taxes
Unicoi County delivers outstanding value with a cost score of 86.7 (median home value $168,200, median rent $665/month—lowest in the group) and a tax score of 86.2 with an effective rate of 0.571%. These dual strengths make it exceptionally affordable.
Lowest Income Levels of All Eight Counties
Unicoi County's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of just $50,381, the lowest among the eight profiled. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and infrastructure remains unavailable, limiting full livability assessment.
Ideal for Fixed-Income Retirees and Minimalists
Unicoi County is perfect for retirees, Social Security recipients, and families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and taxes above career advancement. Its exceptional affordability makes it one of Tennessee's most economical living options, though income constraints may limit it to those with established financial security.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Unicoi County below national average despite rural setting
Unicoi County's effective rate of 0.571% remains below the national median of 0.711%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. At $960 in median taxes on a rural home valued at $168,200, Unicoi County homeowners enjoy modest annual property tax bills.
Moderately taxed within Tennessee
Unicoi County's 0.571% rate sits above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, making it one of the more expensive rural counties to own property in. The median tax of $960 falls slightly below the state average of $1,016, reflecting the county's lower home values despite its higher effective rate.
Higher rates, lower values in East Tennessee
Unicoi County's 0.571% rate exceeds Sullivan County's 0.632%—actually, Sullivan is higher—making Unicoi more moderately taxed than its northeastern neighbor. With median homes valued at just $168,200, Unicoi County remains one of the most affordable places to own property in the tri-county region.
Rural properties carry modest tax bills
A typical Unicoi County home worth $168,200 generates an estimated $960 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $977; without one, it drops to $927—affordable expenses for homeowners in this mountainous East Tennessee county.
Rural homeowners often overlook assessment appeals
Unicoi County's rural properties may suffer from outdated assessments or inflated valuations that go unchallenged year after year. Homeowners who haven't reviewed their assessment recently should contact the county assessor to explore a reassessment or appeal, potentially unlocking tax savings.
Unicoi County renters spend 15.8% of their income on housing, beating both the national 17.6% average and Tennessee's state average of 17.6%. With the lowest median income in this group at $50,381 and the lowest rent at $665, Unicoi delivers surprising affordability for its lowest-earning households.
Rare bargain in rural Tennessee
Unicoi County ranks among Tennessee's most affordable counties despite having the lowest median household income ($50,381) in this analysis, with a 15.8% rent-to-income ratio below the state average. This achievement reflects extraordinarily low rents that cushion lower-income residents from housing cost burdens.
Unicoi's rents are rock-bottom
Unicoi County's $665 median rent is the lowest of all eight counties analyzed, undercutting even Trousdale County ($805) and Van Buren County ($705). Combined with a modest median home value of $168,200, Unicoi offers the most budget-friendly housing environment in this entire group.
Lowest income, lowest rent
A Unicoi County household earning just $50,381 annually spends $665 on rent (15.8%) or $648 on mortgage ($648), among the lowest absolute dollar amounts in this analysis. This alignment between income and housing costs makes Unicoi exceptionally accessible for lower-wage workers and retirees.
Unicoi for rock-bottom living costs
Unicoi County offers Tennessee's most aggressive affordability: $665 rent on a $50,381 income, yielding a 15.8% burden below state and national averages. If you're seeking the lowest cost of living in East Tennessee, Unicoi's combination of low rents and low home values is hard to beat.
Unicoi County's median household income of $50,381 falls about $24,374 below the national median of $74,755, representing a stark 33% gap. This substantial shortfall places Unicoi among the lowest-income counties nationally.
Well Below Tennessee's State Median
Unicoi County's $50,381 income trails Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by $8,613, positioning it in the lower tier of state counties. This gap reflects persistent economic challenges in East Tennessee's mountain communities.
Lowest Earner Among Regional Peers
Unicoi County ranks at the bottom of its region with $50,381 in median income, significantly behind Sullivan County ($56,802) and other neighboring counties. The county faces the steepest economic challenges among its immediate neighbors.
Housing Affordability Under Pressure
While Unicoi County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio appears manageable, the median home value of $168,200 still represents a substantial burden for households earning just $50,381. Many residents are likely priced out of homeownership even at these lower valuations.
Wealth-Building Requires Focused Effort
Unicoi County residents face the tightest financial constraints among regional peers, making every dollar count in building long-term wealth. Pursuing education, skills training, or higher-wage employment opportunities may offer the most realistic path to improved financial security.
At 71.2 years, Unicoi County residents live 1.4 years less than the U.S. average of 72.6 years, and 25.5% report poor or fair health—among the nation's highest rates. These figures signal substantial chronic disease burden and underscore urgent need for prevention and treatment expansion.
Unicoi ranks among state's weakest health outcomes
Unicoi's 71.2-year life expectancy falls well below Tennessee's 72.4-year average, and its 25.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst. At 10.8% uninsured, the county exceeds state average affordability challenges, compounding barriers to care for those with chronic illness.
Unicoi faces severe regional health crisis
Unicoi's 71.2-year life expectancy is the lowest in its peer group, and its 25.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighbors except Union County (22.1%). The county's 23 mental health providers per 100K and 45 primary care providers per 100K signal moderate capacity but insufficient for the burden of disease present.
Limited providers meet substantial health needs
Unicoi has 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 23 mental health providers per 100K—inadequate to address a population where one in four reports poor health. Combined with 10.8% uninsured, residents face both access bottlenecks and cost barriers to treatment.
Coverage is step one toward health
One in ten Unicoi County residents lacks insurance, putting preventive and emergency care out of reach. Enroll at healthcare.gov or contact the Unicoi County Health Department to access coverage, then prioritize regular checkups and mental health screening to address the county's health crisis.
Unicoi County's composite risk score of 10.59 falls well below the national average, carrying a Very Low overall rating. Your county sits in the safest tier for natural disasters across the United States.
Among Tennessee's safest counties
At 10.59, Unicoi County scores 80% below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it firmly in the lowest-risk group. Few Tennessee counties match your relative natural disaster safety.
Safer than nearby Sullivan County
Unicoi County's 10.59 score is dramatically lower than adjacent Sullivan County (71.47), despite sharing the northeastern Tennessee region. Your higher elevation and isolated position provide substantial natural protection.
Wildfire and hurricane are notable
Wildfire risk at 32.51 and hurricane exposure at 34.17 represent your highest hazard scores, though both remain moderate. Earthquake (43.80) and flood (27.42) risks are secondary concerns in your county.
Standard insurance provides good coverage
A comprehensive homeowners policy should adequately protect your property given your county's low risk profile. If you live near forested areas, maintain clear zones around your home to reduce wildfire exposure.