Van Buren County's composite score of 80.4 is the highest of the eight counties profiled and substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0. This outstanding performance places it among the most livable counties in the entire nation.
2 / 5
Tennessee's Top-Performing County
At 80.4, Van Buren County ranks first among all eight counties and leads Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by a significant margin. It represents the state's livability benchmark for affordability and tax efficiency.
3 / 5
Unmatched Tax Efficiency and Housing Costs
Van Buren County combines a tax score of 91.0 with an effective rate of just 0.400% and a cost score of 86.9 featuring the group's lowest median home value ($149,200) and second-lowest median rent ($705/month). These twin strengths are exceptional.
4 / 5
Income Opportunities Are Modest
The county's income score of 22.7 reflects a median household income of $60,281, indicating limited earning potential relative to larger counties. Safety, health, schools, and infrastructure data remain unavailable for comprehensive assessment.
5 / 5
Best-in-Class for Affordable, Low-Tax Living
Van Buren County is the ultimate destination for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden in Tennessee. Its unmatched combination of low housing costs and tax efficiency makes it the standout choice for those prioritizing financial security over income growth.
Van Buren County's composite score of 80.4 is the highest of the eight counties profiled and substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0. This outstanding performance places it among the most livable counties in the entire nation.
Tennessee's Top-Performing County
At 80.4, Van Buren County ranks first among all eight counties and leads Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by a significant margin. It represents the state's livability benchmark for affordability and tax efficiency.
Unmatched Tax Efficiency and Housing Costs
Van Buren County combines a tax score of 91.0 with an effective rate of just 0.400% and a cost score of 86.9 featuring the group's lowest median home value ($149,200) and second-lowest median rent ($705/month). These twin strengths are exceptional.
Income Opportunities Are Modest
The county's income score of 22.7 reflects a median household income of $60,281, indicating limited earning potential relative to larger counties. Safety, health, schools, and infrastructure data remain unavailable for comprehensive assessment.
Best-in-Class for Affordable, Low-Tax Living
Van Buren County is the ultimate destination for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden in Tennessee. Its unmatched combination of low housing costs and tax efficiency makes it the standout choice for those prioritizing financial security over income growth.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Van Buren County's effective rate of just 0.400% ranks among the lowest in the entire United States, sitting far below the national median of 0.711%. At $596 in median taxes on a home valued at $149,200, Van Buren County homeowners enjoy some of America's most affordable property tax bills.
Second-lowest taxes in Tennessee
Van Buren County's 0.400% rate ranks just above Union County's 0.387% as one of Tennessee's most tax-friendly jurisdictions, undercutting the state average of 0.511% by more than half. The median tax of $596 is the lowest in the state, reflecting both modest rates and lower home values.
Bottom-tier taxes across rural Tennessee
Van Buren County's 0.400% rate is only beaten by Union County's 0.387%, making it the second-most affordable county in this region. With the lowest median home value at $149,200 and minimal tax rates, Van Buren County stands as one of Tennessee's most economical places to own property.
Lowest median taxes in the state
A typical Van Buren County home valued at $149,200 generates an estimated annual tax of just $596. With a mortgage, expect around $717; without one, roughly $569—making Van Buren County one of the most affordable places in America to own a home from a tax perspective.
Verify assessments even in lowest-tax counties
Van Buren County's ultra-low tax burden doesn't guarantee accurate assessments; some homeowners may still be paying more than necessary on outdated valuations. Taking time to request a reassessment or file an appeal with the county assessor could yield modest but real savings.
Van Buren County renters spend just 14.0% of their income on housing—the lowest ratio among these eight counties and well below the national 17.6% average. With a $705 median rent and $60,281 median income, Van Buren delivers the most aggressive rent relief in this group.
Tennessee's most affordable county
Van Buren County's 14.0% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in Tennessee among this analysis group, beating the state average of 17.6% by a substantial margin. This exceptional affordability stems from both low rents ($705) and a manageable relationship between housing costs and household earnings.
Van Buren leads in value
Van Buren County's $705 rent undercuts most peers, bested only by Unicoi County ($665) while beating Stewart County ($837) and Sullivan County ($850). Combined with the lowest median home value in this group ($149,200), Van Buren offers unmatched affordability for both renters and homebuyers.
Least burdensome housing ratio
Van Buren County households earning $60,281 spend just $705 on rent (14.0%) or $590 on mortgages (11.7%)—the lowest housing allocation of any county here. This leaves maximum income available for food, transportation, healthcare, and savings.
Van Buren: best value in Tennessee
Van Buren County wins on affordability: the lowest rent burden (14.0%) and lowest home values ($149,200) among all eight counties analyzed. If minimizing housing costs is your priority, Van Buren delivers unmatched value compared to peers like Sumner (18.7%) and Sullivan (18.0%).
Van Buren County's median household income of $60,281 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $14,474, a 19% gap. This reflects the economic realities of many rural Tennessee counties competing in a national economy.
Slightly Below Tennessee's Median
Van Buren County earns $1,287 less than Tennessee's state median of $58,994, placing it essentially at state average. The county represents typical economic conditions across Tennessee's rural regions.
Among Lowest Earners in Region
Van Buren County's $60,281 income ranks it near the bottom of its regional peer group, ahead of only Unicoi County ($50,381) and Sullivan County ($56,802). The county faces moderate economic challenges relative to neighboring areas.
Most Affordable Housing in the Region
Van Buren County boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.0%, the best affordability metric among regional peers. With the lowest median home value at $149,200, homeownership is most accessible here for residents earning the median income.
Leverage Van Buren's Affordability
Van Buren County residents benefit from exceptionally low housing costs, creating opportunity to allocate income toward savings and investments. Residents earning the median should prioritize building emergency funds and exploring retirement savings options while costs remain favorable.
At 70.4 years, Van Buren County residents live 2.2 years less than the U.S. average of 72.6 years, and 23.9% report poor or fair health—well above national norms. These metrics reflect serious chronic disease prevalence and underscore urgent need for prevention infrastructure.
Van Buren significantly underperforms state
Van Buren's 70.4-year life expectancy falls 2 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, and its 23.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds state patterns. With 11.1% uninsured, the county also faces coverage challenges, compounding barriers for a population with high disease burden.
Van Buren faces severe regional disparities
Van Buren's 70.4-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in its peer group (only Union is worse at 69.8 years), and 23.9% poor/fair health reflects substantial disease burden. Data on primary care providers is unavailable, limiting transparency on a key access metric in this underserved county.
Provider data limited; rural isolation acute
Van Buren County's primary care provider count is not available, though its rural location and low population density suggest limited local capacity. With 31 mental health providers per 100K and 11.1% uninsured, the county faces both access bottlenecks and affordability barriers in a community where nearly one in four report poor health.
Insurance opens doors to health care
One in nine Van Buren County residents lacks health insurance, and the county's poor health outcomes underscore the urgency of coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore affordable plans, then work with local providers or regional specialists to address chronic illness and improve health prospects.
Van Buren County's composite risk score of just 2.67 ranks among the lowest in the entire United States, earning a Very Low rating. Your county enjoys extraordinary natural disaster protection compared to nearly all American communities.
Tennessee's safest county
At 2.67, Van Buren County scores 95% below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, securing the top safety ranking statewide. No Tennessee county faces lower natural disaster risk than yours.
Safest in the region by far
Van Buren County's 2.67 score is substantially lower than Trousdale County (6.11) and Union County (12.88), making it the undisputed safest in its area. Your isolated central Tennessee location provides exceptional protection from all major hazard types.
All hazards remain minimal
Wildfire risk (36.29) and earthquake risk (32.95) are your highest scores, but both remain quite low in absolute terms. Tornado (27.45), flood (7.54), and hurricane (18.61) risks are all exceptionally minimal.
Standard homeowners coverage sufficient
Your county's minimal risk profile means standard homeowners insurance with basic wind coverage provides robust protection. Maintain general home maintenance and clear gutters, but extensive disaster-specific preparations are unnecessary.