CountyScore

Washington County

Missouri · MO

#75 in Missouri
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, Missouri

Washington County Well Above U.S. Norms

Washington County's composite score of 78.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's more livable counties. This 56% advantage reflects exceptional strength in housing affordability and tax structure.

Top Tier in Missouri Performance

Washington County ranks above Missouri's state average of 74.8, establishing itself among the state's most livable counties. Its above-average score demonstrates superior conditions for cost-conscious Missourians.

Unmatched Affordability and Low Taxes

Washington County excels with a cost score of 87.2 and a tax score of 86.1, featuring median rent of just $680 per month and median home values of $118,400. An effective tax rate of 0.576% ensures exceptional value for residents.

Income Growth Lags Housing Value

The income score of 17.3 reveals a median household income of $51,886, indicating limited high-wage job opportunities in the area. Critical data on safety, health, education, environmental quality, and risk is not yet available.

Perfect for Value-Seeking Families

Washington County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden over earning potential. Its exceptional affordability makes it an excellent choice for remote workers, retirees, or those relocating from high-cost regions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.1Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth56.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.3Risk32.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.2
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 Washington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington County taxes well below national

Washington County's effective tax rate of 0.576% sits comfortably below the national average, placing the county in the bottom 25% nationally. The median annual tax of just $682 represents 25% of the national median of $2,690.

Well below Missouri's statewide average

At 0.576%, Washington County's rate ranks solidly below Missouri's average of 0.733%, placing it in the lower quarter of the state's counties. The county's median tax of $682 is among the lowest in Missouri.

Low-tax option in south-central region

Washington County's 0.576% rate is competitive with nearby Taney County (0.578%) and beats Warren County (0.738%) and Sullivan County (0.736%). For the south-central Ozark region, Washington offers tax relief for rural homeowners.

A $118,400 home costs $682 yearly

The median Washington County home valued at $118,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $682. With a mortgage, homeowners typically pay $876 due to lender escrow, while those without mortgages pay approximately $563.

Verify your assessment accuracy

Washington County homeowners should ensure their property valuations align with fair market value through the county assessor's office. Even modest overassessments can be corrected through a cost-free appeal process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County offers accessible rentals

Washington County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national average, while its $680 median rent falls well below Missouri's $768 state median. The county's $51,886 median household income reflects a working-class profile where affordable rents provide meaningful relief.

Better than average for Missouri renters

Washington County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Missouri's 15.6% average, though its $680 rent undercuts the state median of $768 by nearly $90. The county offers decent affordability within the statewide middle tier.

Third-cheapest rents in the region

Washington County's $680 rent ranks third-lowest in the region, undercutting Stone County ($892) and Taney County ($925) by significant margins while matching nearby Texas County and Sullivan County. For budget-conscious renters, Washington delivers solid value.

Owner costs undercut rents here

Washington County renters pay $680 monthly—the second-lowest here—while homeowners spend just $599, creating a rare affordability advantage for owners. At $51,886 median household income, renters allocate 15.7% to housing while homeowners spend only 13.9%.

Renters should consider buying

Washington County's $680 rent ranks among the region's lowest, yet its $599 homeowner costs are even cheaper—making the case for owner-occupancy compelling. With home values around $118,400 and strong affordability for owners, Washington rewards those ready to transition from renting to buying.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County income trails national average

Washington County's median household income of $51,886 is 31% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Ozark counties. This gap signals limited job diversity and wage growth pressures.

Below Missouri's typical household income

Washington County's $51,886 median income falls $7,617 short of Missouri's state average of $59,503, ranking it in the lower third of county earnings. Per capita income of $28,855 also lags the state average of $31,011.

Lower earner among regional peers

Washington County's $51,886 income ranks ahead of only Texas ($48,055) and Wayne ($43,393) among the counties profiled—Stone ($61,323), Taney ($58,258), and Sullivan ($55,500) all earn more. The county's rural-manufacturing economy limits wages.

Housing costs remain manageable

Washington County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, providing household budget relief. The median home value of $118,400 is accessible for families earning $51,886 annually.

Build savings from housing advantage

Despite below-average household incomes, Washington County families benefit from affordable housing that frees up money for savings and investment. Prioritize emergency funds and employer retirement benefits to strengthen long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Washington County faces severe health challenges

Washington County's life expectancy of 69.7 years is 4.8 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years—a substantial gap signaling major health crises. With 23.0% of residents reporting poor or fair health, Washington County experiences some of the nation's worst health outcomes.

Missouri's lowest life expectancy county

At 69.7 years, Washington County's life expectancy falls 4.6 years below Missouri's 74.3 average, making it the state's worst-performing county. The 23.0% poor/fair health rate adds to the troubling picture of a county facing serious, systemic health crisis.

A regional health emergency

Washington County's 69.7-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than all nearby counties, with Stone County (76.0), Warren County (75.6), and even struggling Texas County (72.6) all significantly ahead. At 23.0% poor/fair health, Washington County far exceeds all regional peers.

Uninsured rate compounds access issues

Washington County has 13.7% of residents uninsured—above Missouri's average—while offering only 30 primary care providers per 100,000. The 111 mental health providers per 100,000 show some behavioral health capacity, but basic primary care access remains strained.

Insurance is essential here

With the state's lowest life expectancy and high uninsured rate, Washington County residents must prioritize health coverage and preventive care immediately. Contact the Missouri marketplace or call 1-855-4-INSURE for urgent enrollment assistance and access to critical health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County faces above-average risk

Washington County's composite risk score of 67.78 earns a Relatively Low rating but sits well above the national average, placing it in the higher tier of U.S. county exposure. This elevation reflects the county's location in the Ozark region and exposure to multiple concurrent hazards.

Elevated risk within Missouri

Washington County's 67.78 composite score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking it in the state's higher-risk counties. This above-average exposure positions Washington residents amid the state's earthquake and tornado hotspots.

High-risk Ozark peer

Washington County (67.78) sits within the high-hazard Ozark cluster alongside Taney (84.03), Stone (76.75), and Wayne (67.02), making the region a multi-county disaster hotspot. The county faces substantially greater exposure than neighboring Crawford County to the north and east.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top list

Earthquake risk reaches 82.86—the county's leading hazard and among Missouri's highest—while tornado exposure hits 65.17, reflecting intense seismic and spring-storm activity. Flood (52.64) and wildfire (56.01) risks are moderate but still warrant attention in a multi-hazard environment.

Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage

Washington County's 82.86 earthquake score makes a separate earthquake endorsement absolutely essential, as standard policies exclude this coverage. Layer in comprehensive tornado and wind protection, and evaluate flood insurance for properties in creek valleys to create a complete risk shield.

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.