Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
0.68%
metro-area
#48 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,415
metro-area
#31 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
73.4 years
metro-area
#181 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#17 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.1%
metro-area
#111 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
43
metro-area
#194 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#25 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$55
state
#13 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Statewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
25 min
metro-area
#123 of 200
Commute by driving alone
79.5%
metro-area
#173 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.1%
metro-area
#108 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.9¢/kWh
state
#32 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$134
state
#32 of 200
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$121
state
#132 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#129 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
81.4 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#34 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,700
metro-area
#128 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#94 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
37
metro-area
#113 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200
Annual precipitation
50.5"
metro-area
#162 of 200
Annual snowfall
4.7"
metro-area
#83 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
600
state
#185 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#157 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
20
metro-area
#169 of 200
Parks
10
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
8
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
