CountyScore

Allegheny County

Pennsylvania · PA

#55 in Pennsylvania
60.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Strong National Position Despite State Headwinds

Allegheny County's composite score of 61.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23%, placing it solidly in the upper tier of American counties. This performance is particularly notable given its size and urban-suburban complexity.

Below Pennsylvania's Average

At 61.3, Allegheny County falls 4.7 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, putting it in the lower-middle range of state counties. As the state's most populous county, this suggests larger metro areas face different livability trade-offs than rural or smaller counties.

Housing Affordability Leads the Way

Allegheny County's cost score of 70.6 is its strongest dimension, reflecting a median home value of $216,700 and average rent of $1,111 per month. The income score of 33.3 also supports relatively higher earning potential, with median household income at $76,393.

Tax Burden Pulls Down Overall Score

The tax score of 58.2 and effective tax rate of 1.569% represent the county's weakest competitive position. Critical dimensions including safety, health, schools, and environmental quality lack current data, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment.

Urban Professionals Seeking Affordability

Allegheny County appeals to working professionals and families drawn to urban amenities and job markets who can absorb moderately higher tax rates. The county offers diverse economic opportunity but requires deeper data on schools and safety to fully evaluate household fit.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.2Cost70.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk1.9WaterComing Soon
🏛58.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.9
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 Allegheny County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ogle County
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60.2
Median income: $67,317
Manassas Park city
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60.2
Median income: $100,668
Arapahoe County
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60.3
Median income: $97,215
Duval County
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60.3
Median income: $68,447

Deep Dives

Allegheny County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Allegheny County

via TaxByCounty

Allegheny's tax rate ranks among nation's highest

Allegheny County's effective rate of 1.569% places it well above the national median of 1.300%, landing in the top 20% of all U.S. counties for tax burden. Despite a lower median home value ($216,700) than the national average, Allegheny residents pay $3,399 annually—26% more than the national median tax of $2,690.

Pennsylvania's highest effective tax rate

Allegheny County tops Pennsylvania with an effective rate of 1.569%, significantly outpacing the state average of 1.317%. Residents pay a median of $3,399 in annual taxes, roughly 28% above Pennsylvania's median of $2,657.

Highest burden in the western region

Allegheny's 1.569% effective rate far exceeds neighboring Beaver County (1.440%) and Armstrong County (1.487%), making it the costliest county in Western Pennsylvania. This concentration reflects the region's higher municipal and school district spending needs.

What the median homeowner pays yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($216,700) in Allegheny County pays roughly $3,399 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill reaches $3,692; without one, it drops to $2,980.

Assessment appeals can yield real savings

With Allegheny's high tax rate, even a modest reduction in assessed value translates to significant annual savings. Many homeowners find their properties overvalued; filing an appeal is free and can lock in a lower assessment for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Allegheny County

via CostByCounty

Allegheny stretches household budgets

Allegheny County renters spend 17.4% of income on housing, above both the national average and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. The median household income of $76,393 trails the national median by $2,362, intensifying affordability pressure in the Pittsburgh metro area.

Pennsylvania's affordability challenge

Allegheny ranks among the less affordable Pennsylvania counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.4%—one of the state's highest. At $1,111 monthly, median rent exceeds the state average by $151, while incomes remain below state medians.

Pricier than surrounding counties

Allegheny's $1,111 rent significantly outpaces nearby Armstrong ($802) and Beaver ($867), reflecting Pittsburgh's urban housing demand. Home values near $216,700 also exceed most neighboring counties, positioning Allegheny as the region's premium market.

Allegheny's housing cost burden

Renters allocate 17.4% of the median household income to rent alone, while homeowners spend $1,154 monthly (18.2% of income). Combined, these costs consume over one-third of household earnings when considering both rental and ownership pathways.

Allegheny: weighing metro convenience

Pittsburgh's urban amenities and job market come at a housing cost premium—plan accordingly if relocating here. Compare Allegheny's rents and home values to more affordable neighbors like Armstrong and Beaver to stretch your housing budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Allegheny County

via IncomeByCounty

Allegheny keeps pace with national earnings

Allegheny County's median household income of $76,393 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 2.2%, reflecting a stable regional economy. As Pennsylvania's largest county, Allegheny's performance tracks closely with the national average, making it a reliable economic bellwether.

Allegheny ranks above state average income

At $76,393, Allegheny's median household income surpasses Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by nearly 10%. The county's per capita income of $48,208 leads the entire state average of $37,407, reflecting its concentration of higher-wage professionals and service sectors.

Economic anchor for western Pennsylvania

Allegheny households earn $76,393, significantly more than surrounding Beaver County ($70,156) and Armstrong County ($64,295). Pittsburgh's diverse economy and regional influence drive this income premium across the county.

Rental housing absorbs moderate income share

Allegheny's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% signals affordable rental conditions, staying well below the 30% affordability ceiling. Median home values of $216,700 remain within reach for households earning the county median of $76,393.

Diversified economy supports financial growth

Allegheny's robust per capita income of $48,208 provides households with genuine capacity to save, invest, and build wealth over time. The county's economic diversity across healthcare, technology, and professional services creates stable income-growth opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Allegheny County

via HealthByCounty

Allegheny's life expectancy trails slightly

At 76.9 years, Allegheny County residents live slightly below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a negligible 0.5-year gap. However, the 16.1% poor/fair health rate is competitive nationally, reflecting a county where many residents report good to excellent health despite aging.

Holding steady above state median

Allegheny County's 76.9-year life expectancy edges out Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average by 0.5 years, placing it in the middle tier of county performance. As Pennsylvania's most populous county, Allegheny's health trends meaningfully influence statewide data.

Urban advantage in southwest PA

Allegheny's 76.9-year life expectancy outpaces Beaver County (75.6 years) and Armstrong County (75.3 years), a Pittsburgh-area urban advantage of roughly 1.5 years. Its 16.1% poor/fair health rate ties with Beaver County, suggesting shared industrial-legacy health challenges offset by urban healthcare density.

Urban hub with provider strength

Allegheny County boasts 109 primary care providers and 482 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding most Pennsylvania counties and reflecting Pittsburgh's major medical centers. The 4.7% uninsured rate, lowest in this group, means coverage is accessible for most, though 1 in 20 residents still lack insurance.

Bridge coverage gaps in Allegheny

Even in a well-insured county, 4.7% of Allegheny residents remain uninsured—roughly 30,000 people who could benefit from coverage. Call 211 or visit healthcare.gov to explore free and low-cost plans designed for working Pennsylvanians.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Allegheny County

via RiskByCounty

Allegheny County Faces Significantly Above-Average Risk

Allegheny County's composite risk score of 98.09 ranks substantially above the national average, earning a relatively high risk rating. This urban and industrial county experiences more exposure to multiple disaster types than most American counties, driven largely by its dense population and geography.

Highest-Risk County in Pennsylvania

With a score of 98.09 compared to Pennsylvania's statewide average of 67.45, Allegheny County faces significantly more natural disaster risk than any other Pennsylvania county. Its hazard exposure exceeds the state average by roughly 45 percent, reflecting its status as the state's most vulnerable region.

Neighboring Counties Face Far Lower Risk

Allegheny County's neighbors—Beaver (75.32), Washington, and Butler counties—all experience substantially lower risk profiles. Armstrong County (69.34) and other surrounding rural counties face less than two-thirds of Allegheny's overall hazard exposure, highlighting the unique vulnerability of the Pittsburgh metro area.

Flooding and Tornadoes Drive Allegheny's Risk

Flood risk dominates Allegheny County at 99.20—nearly maximal exposure—reflecting the region's river systems and dense urban development. Tornado risk ranks dangerously high at 91.19, while earthquake (87.88) and hurricane (75.89) risks round out a multifaceted hazard profile.

Flood Insurance Is Non-Negotiable Here

Allegheny County residents must obtain flood insurance immediately; the county's 99.20 flood risk score indicates widespread vulnerability across neighborhoods. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy covers tornado, wind, and hail damage, and consider a separate umbrella policy given the county's elevated earthquake risk (87.88).

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.