CountyScore

Wright County

Missouri · MO

#30 in Missouri
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Wright County, Missouri

Wright dominates national rankings

Wright County's composite score of 80.9 is 62% higher than the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the most livable counties in America. This exceptional showing reflects a county where low taxes and affordable housing combine powerfully.

Missouri's top livability performer

Wright County leads all measured Missouri counties with a composite score of 80.9, substantially above the state average of 74.8. The county stands out as Missouri's premier destination for overall livability.

Lowest taxes, strong affordability

Wright County boasts a tax score of 91.5 and the state's lowest effective tax rate of 0.384%, paired with a cost score of 89.5. Median home values of $152,300 and rent at $558/month provide exceptional housing accessibility.

Income constraints and gaps

The income score of 14.3 reflects median household income of $47,304, one of the state's lowest figures. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data remain unavailable, leaving several livability factors unmeasured.

Best-value county in Missouri

Wright County attracts those seeking peak affordability and minimal tax burden without expecting high local wages. It's ideal for remote workers, early retirees, and anyone building a lean, financially stable life in a low-cost environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.5Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth58.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.3Risk42.6WaterComing Soon
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.6
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 Wright County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Wright County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wright County

via TaxByCounty

Wright County offers exceptional savings

At 0.384%, Wright County's effective tax rate ranks in the nation's bottom 10%, offering some of the lowest property tax burdens in America. The median property tax of $584 is less than a quarter of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a low rate and modest home values.

Missouri's most tax-friendly county

Wright County's 0.384% effective rate is dramatically below Missouri's 0.733% state average, making it one of the state's most affordable property tax havens. The median annual tax of $584 is roughly half the state average of $1,199, offering substantial savings compared to most Missourians.

Significantly lower than nearby counties

Wright County's 0.384% rate undercuts both Webster County (0.539%) and Worth County (0.801%), making it the region's clear tax leader. Residents here enjoy markedly lighter property tax loads than their neighbors in surrounding areas.

What a typical home costs annually

On a median home valued at $152,300, Wright County residents pay approximately $584 per year in property taxes without mortgage deduction, or $636 with mortgage interest factored in. This equals roughly $49–$53 monthly, extraordinarily low by national standards.

You might be overassessed

Even in Wright County's low-tax environment, some homeowners carry inflated assessed values on their properties and could benefit from an assessment appeal. Filing a challenge with the local assessor's office could unlock additional savings on your already modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wright County

via CostByCounty

Wright sits near the national affordability line

Wright County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio edges slightly above the national standard, putting it in the moderately affordable category for American renters. The median rent of $558 is below the state average of $768, but the median income of $47,304 trails the national $74,755 by a significant margin.

Wright ranks middle of Missouri pack

With a 14.2% rent-to-income ratio, Wright County performs slightly better than Missouri's 15.6% state average, landing it in the middle tier of county affordability. This modest advantage means Wright renters retain slightly more breathing room than the typical Missourian.

Wright bridges Worth and Webster costs

Wright County's $558 rent sits squarely between Worth County's ultra-low $353 and Webster County's $777, offering middle-ground housing prices. However, Wright's $47,304 income is closer to Worth's level, making its rent burden slightly higher than Webster's despite the lower absolute costs.

Wright's modest housing split

Renters commit $558 monthly to housing while homeowners spend $597, both manageable on Wright's $47,304 median income. At 14.2% for renters and 15.1% for owners, housing takes up a reasonable but notable chunk of household budgets.

Wright County: balanced rural option

Wright County offers a middle path—cheaper than Webster, higher-earning than Worth—if you're seeking rural Missouri living without extreme trade-offs. If your current rent-to-income ratio exceeds 14%, Wright's $558 rent could improve your financial situation while maintaining community-oriented rural life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wright County

via IncomeByCounty

Wright County well below national median

Wright County's median household income of $47,304 trails the national median of $74,755 by $27,451, reflecting the limited earning opportunities in this rural region. The income gap signals structural economic challenges that constrain household wealth accumulation.

Below-average income across Missouri

At $47,304, Wright County's median household income sits $12,199 below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it among the state's lower-income counties. The county's per capita income of $23,682 falls substantially below the state average of $31,011, suggesting concentrated earning power.

Similar struggles as Worth County

Wright County's median income of $47,304 closely matches Worth County's $46,167, with both rural counties facing similar economic constraints compared to Webster County's $69,731. Wright's median home value of $152,300 is higher than Worth's, creating tighter affordability pressures.

Housing takes a larger income share

Wright County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% exceeds the national affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume a notably higher share of household earnings than ideal. This housing burden leaves less discretionary income for savings, medical care, and other essential needs.

Build wealth through careful planning

Despite lower income, Wright County households can strengthen their financial position by budgeting aggressively, exploring income-boosting opportunities, and seeking employer retirement benefits. Consider connecting with local nonprofit financial counseling services to develop a personalized wealth-building roadmap suited to your earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wright County

via HealthByCounty

Wright County trails national health

Life expectancy in Wright County stands at 72.9 years, nearly a full year below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. Over 1 in 5 residents (21.7%) report poor or fair health—notably higher than the national average—signaling serious health challenges.

Lowest life expectancy in state comparison

Wright County's 72.9-year life expectancy falls 1.4 years short of Missouri's state average of 74.3 years. Its 14.9% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 12.5%, leaving more residents vulnerable to healthcare costs.

Severe primary care shortage

With only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wright County faces a critical access gap compared to Worth County's 50 per 100,000. Conversely, mental health services are robust at 134 providers per 100,000, suggesting strong community support for behavioral health.

Uninsured and underserved reality

Nearly 15% of Wright County residents lack health insurance—significantly above the state average—and primary care deserts make finding a doctor difficult. This combination of gaps delays diagnosis and treatment, contributing to the county's higher rates of poor health.

Breaking barriers to health care

Wright County residents without insurance should explore coverage options immediately; every month without protection increases financial risk. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find Medicaid eligibility and low-cost marketplace plans designed for your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wright County

via RiskByCounty

Wright County faces elevated disaster risks

Wright County scores 57.41 on the national disaster risk scale, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating while exceeding Missouri's state average of 50.56. This above-average positioning reflects particular vulnerability in earthquake and flood hazards.

Among higher-risk Missouri counties

At 57.41, Wright County ranks above the Missouri state average of 50.56, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties for overall disaster risk. The county's earthquake exposure (76.11) is among the highest in Missouri.

Notably riskier than neighbors

Wright County's composite risk of 57.41 significantly exceeds both Worth County (8.21) and Webster County (44.59), driven largely by elevated earthquake exposure (76.11). The county's flood risk (62.34) and wildfire risk (64.60) also run higher than Webster's.

Earthquakes pose the greatest threat

Wright County residents face the nation's higher earthquake risk at 76.11, plus above-average exposure to floods (62.34) and wildfires (64.60). Together, these three hazards demand serious preparation and insurance planning.

Specialized insurance is essential

Wright County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance immediately, as this hazard scores highest locally and is excluded from standard homeowners policies. Adding wildfire and flood coverage—or verifying current protection—should follow as the second priority.

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.