CountyScore

Alpine County

California · CA

#1 in California
72.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Alpine County, California

Alpine outpaces national livability average

Alpine County's composite score of 65.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 66th percentile nationwide. This rural Sierra Nevada county proves that strong livability doesn't require urban amenities—it reflects a fundamental quality-of-life advantage. Alpine stands among the more livable counties in the entire United States by this composite measure.

California's livable mountain refuge

At 65.9, Alpine ranks well above California's 61.3 state average and sits in the upper third of the state's 58 counties. Among rural California communities, Alpine demonstrates that low costs and tax efficiency can create strong overall livability. The county punches above its weight for a remote mountain region of just a few thousand residents.

Affordability and tax advantages combined

Alpine combines a strong cost score of 55.6 with an exceptional tax score of 83.0, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.684%. Median home values of $466,100 offer dramatic relief compared to coastal counties, while median household income of $110,781 remains solid. This combination of lower housing costs and minimal tax burden creates genuine financial breathing room.

Remote location and limited income growth

Alpine's income score of 55.7 trails more developed regions, and the county's remote mountain location limits job opportunities and services. Rental data remains unavailable, but the area's sparse population suggests limited housing diversity. Future data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors will reveal whether the livability gains are offset by service limitations.

Ideal for cost-conscious, self-sufficient households

Alpine County appeals to remote workers, retirees, and families prioritizing affordability and tax savings over proximity to urban centers. The county offers genuine economic relief without the congestion and cost burdens of California's populated regions. Best suited for those comfortable with isolation and limited commercial services in exchange for lower living costs and tax rates.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83Cost55.6SafetyComing SoonHealth85.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.7Risk89.5WaterComing Soon
🏛83
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.5
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 Alpine County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Alpine County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Alpine County

via TaxByCounty

Alpine taxes: 2.7× the national norm

Alpine County's effective tax rate of 0.684% is nearly three times the national median of 0.25%, placing it in the 80th percentile nationwide. Even small mountain communities here pay substantially more in property taxes than most American homeowners.

Below California's state average rate

At 0.684%, Alpine County's effective rate falls slightly below California's average of 0.714%, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 58 counties. Yet with a median tax bill of $3,190, Alpine residents still exceed the national median by nearly 20%.

Mountain county with moderate tax burden

Alpine's 0.684% rate sits between neighboring Amador County (0.695%) and Calaveras County (0.714%), making it among the lower-taxed mountain communities. The Sierra foothill region generally maintains rates below the Bay Area and coastal counties.

Alpine median home: $3,190 annual tax

A typical Alpine County home valued at $466,100 generates approximately $3,190 in yearly property taxes. For mortgaged properties, total tax obligations hover around $3,091, reflecting the county's modest effective rate.

Review assessed values after market shifts

Alpine County homeowners should verify their assessments, especially if property values have shifted since the last appraisal. Filing an appeal costs little and could reduce your annual tax bill if your home is overassessed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Alpine County

via CostByCounty

Alpine County's quiet homeownership advantage

Alpine County's median household income of $110,781 outpaces the national median by 48%, yet rental data remains unavailable—a reflection of the county's tiny, owner-dominated population. Monthly homeownership costs of $1,753 suggest a rent-equivalent burden well below national norms for those who can afford the $466,100 median home price.

A rare California affordability pocket

Alpine's $1,753 monthly owner cost ranks among California's lowest, though limited rental markets prevent a full state comparison. The median home value of $466,100 undercuts 80% of California counties, offering a genuine escape from the state's housing crisis for remote workers and retirees.

Alpine outpaces the Sierra foothill peers

Alpine's $466,100 median home value runs $44,000 cheaper than Amador and $24,300 cheaper than Calaveras, despite comparable incomes. Owner costs of $1,753 monthly beat Amador's $1,515 burden-to-income ratio, rewarding Alpine homeowners with lower absolute payments.

Ownership is Alpine's story

With sparse rental listings and a $1,753 monthly ownership cost, Alpine residents dedicate roughly 19% of a $110,781 income to housing—substantially lower than California's state average. The county's rural character and small population mean limited housing supply, but exceptional value for those seeking mountain living.

Alpine for the independent spirit

If you work remotely or are retiring, Alpine delivers unmatched value: homes under $500,000 with ownership costs 37% below the state average. Be prepared for limited services, a tiny job market, and a 3+ hour drive to major metros—but you'll own your mountain home outright far sooner.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Alpine County

via IncomeByCounty

Alpine substantially exceeds US average

Alpine County's median household income of $110,781 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 48%, reflecting stronger earnings in this small mountain community. Alpine residents earn significantly more than typical American households despite the county's rural character.

Above-average income for California

Alpine's $110,781 median household income exceeds California's state average of $87,001 by nearly $24,000 per household. The county's per capita income of $53,247 also outperforms the state's $43,669 average.

Outearning surrounding Sierra counties

Alpine's median household income of $110,781 positions it as a relative income leader among rural Sierra Nevada communities. The county's strong earnings reflect its stable employment base and lower unemployment rates.

Limited affordability data, strong income

While rent-to-income data is unavailable for Alpine, the median home value of $466,100 and median income of $110,781 suggest reasonable housing affordability relative to many California counties. Residents here benefit from lower housing costs than Bay Area and coastal competitors.

Invest your mountain community income

Alpine households earning $110,781 annually have solid capacity to build long-term wealth through retirement investing and real estate diversification. The lower cost of living here compared to urban California counties creates meaningful opportunities for savings and investment growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Alpine County

via HealthByCounty

Alpine's health picture unclear

Life expectancy data for Alpine County is not currently available, limiting direct comparison to the U.S. average of 76.1 years. However, the county reports a 15.4% poor/fair health rate, comparable to national norms and suggesting baseline health outcomes. More granular health metrics would help Alpine residents and policymakers track progress.

Small county, limited data

Alpine County's 15.4% poor/fair health rate sits below California's state median, though life expectancy figures remain unavailable for precise ranking. As one of California's smallest and most rural counties, Alpine faces data collection challenges that can obscure its true health status. State and local health agencies are working to improve health surveillance in remote areas.

Sparse neighbors, sparse providers

Alpine's 15.4% poor/fair health rate compares favorably to nearby Amador County (16.3%) and Calaveras County (17.4%), though primary care provider data is unavailable for direct comparison. As a mountainous, sparsely populated county surrounded by similar rural terrain, Alpine shares the geographic isolation challenges of its neighbors. Limited provider networks characterize the entire region.

Uninsured rate above state average

Alpine County's 6.0% uninsured rate exceeds California's 7.2% state average, though primary care provider counts are not reported. The county does provide 351 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—a solid mental health infrastructure despite overall sparsity. Accessing healthcare often requires travel to larger neighboring counties.

Getting covered in Alpine

If you're among Alpine's uninsured residents, enrollment is open year-round through Covered California and Medi-Cal. Visit coveredca.com or call 1-800-300-1506 to explore options suited to Alpine's rural setting. Community health centers and local county offices can also guide enrollment.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Alpine County

via RiskByCounty

Alpine faces very low national disaster risk

Alpine County's composite risk score of 10.56 places it among the lowest-risk counties nationwide, well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile makes Alpine one of California's most resilient communities against natural disasters.

California's safest county by far

Alpine's score of 10.56 dramatically undercuts California's state average of 88.72, making it the clear outlier for disaster safety. The county's remote, mountainous geography and sparse population contribute to its minimal overall hazard exposure.

Alpine stands apart from riskier Sierra neighbors

Alpine (10.56) enjoys dramatically lower risk than neighboring Amador County (79.20) and Calaveras County (86.61). This safety advantage stems from Alpine's higher elevation, smaller population, and distance from major flood corridors that affect its neighbors.

Wildfire poses your primary hazard concern

Wildfire risk of 89.12 stands as Alpine County's most significant natural hazard, though it remains secondary to the county's overall low composite score. Earthquake risk (53.02) ranks second, while tornado and flood risks are minimal by any standard.

Standard coverage suffices for Alpine homes

Alpine's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for most residents. Consider adding wildfire-specific coverage or defensible space improvements as your primary disaster preparation, given the county's minimal earthquake and flood exposure.

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.