Cole County, MO Rankings

Cole County, Missouri is located in the center of the state and is part of the Jefferson City metropolitan area. It was established in 1820 and has a total area of 447 square miles. According to BestPlaces, Cole County ranks favorably among other counties in terms of its cost of living index, education levels, crime rates, and housing costs. The cost of living index is 5.7 which is lower than most U.S. counties, making the area more affordable for those seeking to move or retire here. Education levels are high as indicated by a score of 7 out of 10 with strong public and private school systems in place throughout the county providing accessible quality educational opportunities for students and families alike. Additionally, crime rates are low with an overall score of 6 out of 10 and this makes Cole County a safe place to live for all residents. Finally, housing costs are relatively low with an average price per square foot at $111 – below the national average – making it easy to find affordable housing options for those looking to relocate or purchase a home here.

Best Places ranks thousands of places to live based on analysis, data and key statistics from the U.S. Census and our Best Places To Live Expert Insights.