CountyScore

Worth County

Missouri · MO

#2 in Missouri
76.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Worth County, Missouri

Worth leads national affordability

Worth County's composite score of 78.9 nearly doubles the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper echelon of American counties. This exceptional performance is anchored by housing costs that rank among the nation's most accessible.

Missouri's most livable county

Worth County's score of 78.9 tops Missouri's state average of 74.8 by a significant margin. Among counties measured in the state, Worth stands out as a leader in overall livability.

Unbeatable housing affordability

Worth County's cost score reaches 94.6—the highest recorded—with median rent at just $353/month and median home values of $94,600. For budget-conscious residents, these numbers represent extraordinary opportunity to minimize housing expenses.

Lower incomes, limited data

The income score of 13.5 reflects a median household income of $46,167, notably below both state and national averages. Schools, health, safety, and environmental measurements remain unavailable, preventing a complete picture of quality of life.

Perfect for ultra-frugal living

Worth County is built for those seeking the lowest possible cost of living and willing to accept lower incomes in exchange. Remote workers, retirees on fixed budgets, and anyone prioritizing housing affordability above all will find exceptional value here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.7Cost94.6SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk91.8WaterComing Soon
🏛79.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠94.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.8
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 Worth County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Alabama
76.5
Median income: $51,852
Martin County
Indiana
76.5
Median income: $65,345
Traverse County
Minnesota
76.5
Median income: $65,931
Granite County
Montana
76.5
Median income: $54,646
Blaine County
Nebraska
76.5
Median income: $61,250

Deep Dives

Worth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Worth County

via TaxByCounty

Worth County slightly above national median

At 0.801%, Worth County's effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.72%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. Despite this higher rate, the county's median property tax of $758 remains far below the national median of $2,690, thanks to much lower home values in the area.

Among Missouri's higher-tax counties

Worth County's 0.801% effective rate exceeds Missouri's 0.733% state average, making it one of the state's steeper property tax jurisdictions. The median tax of $758 sits below the state average of $1,199, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $94,600.

Highest rate in this region

Worth County's 0.801% effective rate is the highest among its regional peers, outpacing Webster County (0.539%) and Wright County (0.384%). This makes it the steepest-taxing county in the immediate area, despite modest home values.

What a typical home costs annually

On a median home valued at $94,600, Worth County residents pay approximately $758 per year in property taxes without mortgage deduction, or $918 with mortgage interest included. This breaks down to roughly $63–$77 monthly, well below national averages despite the higher rate.

You might be overassessed

Many Worth County homeowners are paying taxes on inflated assessed values, and an appeal to the assessor's office could reduce your burden. Given the county's higher effective rate, verifying your home's accurate market value is especially worthwhile.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Worth County

via CostByCounty

Worth County: Missouri's housing bargain

Worth County's rent-to-income ratio of 9.2% is exceptional—nearly 6 percentage points below the national standard—making it one of the most affordable places to rent in America. At just $353 monthly, median rent is less than half the state average of $768, though the median income of $46,167 is notably lower than the national $74,755.

Top affordable county in Missouri

Worth County dominates Missouri's affordability rankings with a 9.2% rent-to-income ratio—more than 6 percentage points better than the state average of 15.6%. This makes Worth the clear winner for renters prioritizing housing cost relief.

Worth leads region in cheap housing

Worth County's $353 median rent is dramatically lower than Webster County's $777 and Wright County's $558, offering unmatched affordability in the region. The tradeoff: Worth's median income of $46,167 lags both neighbors, making the low housing costs essential to household survival rather than a luxury.

Worth's lean housing budget

Renters allocate just $353 monthly to housing while homeowners spend $522, leaving meaningful portions of the $46,167 median income for food, utilities, and other needs. At 9.2% of income for renters and 13.6% for owners, Worth residents enjoy uncommonly low housing burdens.

Worth County works for budget-conscious movers

If affordability is your priority and you can manage a rural lifestyle with lower wages, Worth County's $353 rent is hard to beat anywhere in the nation. Compare your current housing costs: unless you're currently paying under 9% of income on rent, moving to Worth could deliver substantial savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Worth County

via IncomeByCounty

Worth County lags national income

Worth County's median household income of $46,167 falls considerably below the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of $28,588 that reflects the economic challenges facing rural Missouri. The shortfall represents a real constraint on household purchasing power and wealth-building capacity.

Among Missouri's lowest-income counties

At $46,167, Worth County's median household income sits $13,336 below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower tier statewide. However, the county's per capita income of $32,793 exceeds the state average of $31,011, indicating more income equality across households.

Similar economics to nearby counties

Worth County's median income of $46,167 closely mirrors Wright County's $47,304, though both trail Webster County's $69,731 by roughly $20,000. Worth and Wright face similar rural economic pressures, though Worth's lower housing values ($94,600 vs. $152,300) offer an affordability advantage.

Housing costs are well-managed

Worth County's rent-to-income ratio of 9.2% is one of the lowest in the nation, meaning housing costs consume a minimal share of earnings—a genuine economic strength. The county's modest median home value of $94,600 makes homeownership highly accessible despite lower overall income.

Prioritize savings despite lower income

Worth County households can capitalize on their low housing costs to redirect savings toward emergency funds, education, and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly contributions to a savings plan can build meaningful wealth over time and create financial security for future generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Worth County

via HealthByCounty

Worth County leads in life expectancy

Worth County residents live to 75.1 years on average—more than 1.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 73.5 years. However, 19.2% report poor or fair health, suggesting chronic conditions persist despite longer lifespans.

Missouri's healthier counties

At 75.1 years, Worth County significantly outpaces Missouri's state average life expectancy of 74.3 years. Its 12.6% uninsured rate is nearly identical to the state average of 12.5%.

Best primary care access locally

Worth County leads its region with 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding Wright County's 16 per 100,000. Mental health provider data is limited, but strong primary care capacity supports early intervention and disease prevention.

Coverage nearly universal, but gaps remain

About 1 in 8 Worth County residents lack health insurance, a fraction higher than Missouri's 12.5% state average. Access to primary care is strong, but uninsured neighbors may skip preventive visits due to out-of-pocket costs.

Secure affordable health coverage

Worth County residents without insurance have clear pathways to coverage through Medicaid, marketplace plans, and federally qualified health centers. Explore options at healthcare.gov or call your local health department to find a plan within your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Worth County

via RiskByCounty

Worth County stands among safest nationwide

With a composite risk score of 8.21 and a 'Very Low' rating, Worth County ranks well below the national average and far below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This exceptionally low exposure makes it one of the most disaster-resilient counties in the United States.

Missouri's lowest-risk county

Worth County's 8.21 composite score represents the best disaster risk profile in Missouri, dramatically outperforming the state average of 50.56. Every major hazard category—from earthquakes (5.57) to hurricanes (7.22)—scores significantly below statewide norms.

Distinctly safer than regional peers

Worth County's composite risk of 8.21 is less than one-fifth of Webster County's 44.59 and one-seventh of Wright County's 57.41, making it uniquely protected in the region. This advantage spans multiple hazard types, from floods to tornadoes.

Wildfire risk edges ahead slightly

Even Worth County's highest hazard—wildfire risk at 34.10—remains well below state and national norms. All other major disaster risks, including floods (4.61) and earthquakes (5.57), score among the nation's lowest.

Basic coverage likely sufficient

Worth County residents' primary insurance focus should be standard homeowners coverage, as specialty disaster policies carry less urgency here than in higher-risk areas. Nevertheless, reviewing wildfire preparedness and ensuring adequate liability coverage remains prudent for all property owners.

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.