Missouri— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.59%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$175,100
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$1,032/yr
2024 data
Lawrence County's 0.59% effective property tax rate falls in the middle 50% of US counties — close to the national median of 0.81%. Within Missouri's 115 counties, it's the 30th lowest. On the county's median home value of $175,100, the typical homeowner pays $1,032 annually in property tax — $597 less than the national median of $1,629. Missouri charges no state real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs here lower than high-transfer-tax states like New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware. About 8.7% of the county lies within a FEMA flood hazard zone — worth checking msc.fema.gov for any specific address before buying.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Lawrence County.
County median: $175,100
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Moderate flood risk. Some neighborhoods require flood insurance — check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Missouri property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Lawrence County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker)
Income-based credit up to $1,100 (homeowners) or $750 (renters) for homeowners 65+ or 100% disabled. For 2026, income upper limit rises to $50,000; credit amount up to $1,500 for eligible filers.
View official source →Senior Real Estate Tax Freeze (SB 190)
Locally-administered freeze for homeowners 62+ that caps reassessment-driven increases on the primary residence. The base-year tax bill becomes the cap for future years.
View official source →Disabled POW / Veteran Relief
Former prisoners of war with 100% service-connected disability are exempt from property tax on the homestead. Other disabled veterans may qualify for expanded circuit breaker with no income cap beginning 2026.
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Lawrence County.
The effective property tax rate in Lawrence County is 0.59% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($1,032) divided by the median home value ($175,100), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
No. Missouri does not impose a state real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs in Lawrence County lower than in states like New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware where transfer taxes can add thousands of dollars at closing. Missouri abolished its real estate transfer tax and constitutionally prohibits the state, counties, and political subdivisions from imposing any new tax on real estate transfers (Mo. Const. art. X, § 25).
Only in parts. About 8.7% of Lawrence County's land area is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Most homes are outside these zones, but worth verifying the specific address at msc.fema.gov.
Closing costs for a buyer in Lawrence County typically run $3,502–$8,755 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Lawrence County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.59% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Lawrence County.
Guides for Missouri home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →