CountyScore

Allegany County

Maryland · MD

#4 in Maryland
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Allegany County, Maryland

Allegany outpaces national average

With a composite score of 68.0, Allegany County significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it well above typical American counties. This 36% advantage reflects a county that delivers solid overall livability across multiple dimensions.

Above-average performer in Maryland

Allegany ranks above Maryland's state average of 63.9, positioning it among the stronger counties in the state. The county's 68.0 score reflects particular strength in affordability and tax burden relative to its peer counties.

Affordability and tax efficiency lead

Allegany shines in housing affordability with a cost score of 81.7 and an effective tax rate of just 1.078%, earning a tax score of 71.9. Median home values of $149,200 and rents under $800 make this county accessible for budget-conscious families and individuals.

Income levels and risk deserve attention

The county's income score of 20.9 reflects a median household income of $57,393, well below state and national averages. A risk score of 41.5 suggests environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant closer examination before relocating.

Best for cost-conscious, resilient households

Allegany works best for retirees, first-time homebuyers, and families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes. The combination of cheap housing and manageable tax burden offsets lower wage opportunities for those willing to embrace smaller-town living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.9Cost81.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk41.5WaterComing Soon
🏛71.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.5
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 Allegany County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska
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Pitkin County
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Median income: $100,318
Jackson County
Florida
68
Median income: $47,327
Calhoun County
Georgia
68
Median income: $55,714
Early County
Georgia
68
Median income: $53,750

Deep Dives

Allegany County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Allegany County

via TaxByCounty

Allegany's tax rate ranks low nationally

Allegany County's effective tax rate of 1.078% sits above the national median of 0.890%, putting it in roughly the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax here is $1,609, well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a modest tax burden for the region.

Above average for Maryland

Allegany County ranks in the upper half of Maryland counties, with an effective rate of 1.078% compared to the state average of 0.957%. The median property tax of $1,609 is below the state median of $3,328, a difference driven primarily by lower home values in the county.

Cecil County taxes slightly lower nearby

Among its regional peers, Allegany's 1.078% rate sits between Cecil County (0.981%) and Baltimore County (1.105%). Allegany homeowners pay a median of $1,609 annually, the lowest among this cluster of northern and central Maryland counties.

What you pay on a typical home

On Allegany's median home value of $149,200, the effective tax rate of 1.078% translates to roughly $1,609 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,712 per year, while those owning outright pay around $1,485.

You may be overassessed

Many Maryland property owners are assessed above market value and never challenge their assessments. Allegany homeowners can appeal their property valuations through the county's assessment office—a process that can significantly reduce your annual tax bill if successful.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Allegany County

via CostByCounty

Allegany's affordability advantage

At 16.4%, Allegany County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national benchmark and Maryland's 18.3% state average, making it one of the most affordable rental markets in the region. Residents here spend significantly less of their paychecks on housing compared to their national counterparts, where the median household income of $74,755 is 30% higher than Allegany's $57,393.

Best value in Maryland

Allegany County ranks among Maryland's most affordable places to rent, with a median rent of just $786 per month—44% cheaper than the state average of $1,415. This exceptional affordability makes Allegany a standout for budget-conscious renters across Maryland.

Affordable haven vs neighbors

Allegany's $786 median rent is significantly lower than nearby Caroline County ($1,070) and Cecil County ($1,367), though both counties offer stronger median incomes. For renters prioritizing low housing costs over higher wages, Allegany remains the region's most accessible option.

Housing costs in Allegany

Renters spend $786 monthly while homeowners pay $830 for mortgages on a median home valued at $149,200—among the lowest in the state. With a median household income of $57,393, housing consumes just 16.4% of income for renters and 17.4% for owners, leaving more room in the household budget.

Consider Allegany for value

If affordability is your priority, Allegany County delivers the lowest housing costs in Maryland alongside reasonable homeownership opportunities. Compare Allegany's $786 rent and $149,200 median home value to pricier counties like Anne Arundel ($1,990 rent, $450,300 homes) to see real savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Allegany County

via IncomeByCounty

Allegany lags the national income average

Allegany County's median household income of $57,393 falls 23% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower tier nationally. This gap reflects economic headwinds that many industrial communities in the Mid-Atlantic region face as manufacturing shrinks.

Bottom quartile among Maryland counties

At $57,393, Allegany's median household income ranks in the bottom quartile of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, trailing the state average of $94,152 by $36,759. The county's per capita income of $30,046 also lags the state average of $46,948 significantly.

Weaker than adjacent rural counties

Allegany's median household income trails Caroline County ($66,368) and falls well short of nearby Baltimore County ($90,904) and Cecil County ($91,146). Among Western Maryland's smaller communities, Allegany faces steeper income challenges than neighboring jurisdictions.

Affordable housing, but tight finances

The rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% suggests housing affordability is manageable—well below the 30% threshold that indicates cost burden. However, with a median income significantly below state and national levels, households have less discretionary income for savings and emergencies.

Build stability through financial planning

While Allegany's income lags regional benchmarks, the low cost of living offers an opportunity to prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions. Consider speaking with a financial advisor about low-cost investment options and programs that help build long-term wealth despite modest household earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Allegany County

via HealthByCounty

Allegany lags behind on life expectancy

Allegany residents live to an average age of 73.5 years, about 5 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 15%, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.

Ranks among Maryland's lowest

At 73.5 years, Allegany's life expectancy trails Maryland's state average of 77.0 years by 3.5 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 18.5% is also notably higher than most of its peers in the state.

Health gap widens in the region

Allegany residents face steeper health challenges than nearby Cecil County (73.7 years) and significantly more than Carroll County (78.2 years). The county has fewer primary care providers at 53 per 100,000 residents, compared to Cecil's 40 and Carroll's 44.

Healthcare access remains tight

While Allegany's uninsured rate of 6.1% is close to the state average of 6.4%, residents struggle to find nearby providers. The county offers 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 407 mental health providers, requiring many to travel for specialty care.

Check your coverage options today

If you're uninsured or underinsured in Allegany County, Maryland Health Care Options and the ACA marketplace offer plans tailored to your needs. Visit marylandhealthcare.org or healthcare.gov to explore coverage and financial assistance available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Allegany County

via RiskByCounty

Allegany's risk sits below the national average

With a composite risk score of 58.52, Allegany County ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, performing better than the national average for natural disaster exposure. This score reflects moderate vulnerability across multiple hazard types, with no single threat dominating the county's risk profile.

A safer choice within Maryland

Allegany County's score of 58.52 falls just below Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the lower half of the state's 24 jurisdictions for overall risk. The county benefits from a more balanced hazard distribution compared to coastal neighbors.

Allegany outpaces western county peers

Compared to nearby Carroll County (59.51) and Cecil County (58.56), Allegany ranks similarly, but all three western counties remain safer than Baltimore City (95.01) and Baltimore County (93.99). Allegany's northwestern location shields it from the elevated hurricane and tornado risks facing the state's urban and coastal zones.

Hurricane and flood concerns top Allegany's list

Allegany's highest risk scores come from hurricane exposure (67.67) and flooding (73.63), both elevated relative to the county's overall low rating. Tornado risk (35.75) and earthquake hazard (52.86) pose secondary concerns, while wildfire danger remains minimal at 20.96.

Prepare for water and wind damage

Residents should prioritize flood and wind insurance, especially those in flood-prone areas along streams and rivers. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, so a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers is essential for peace of mind.

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.