CountyScore

Baker County

Florida · FL

#3 in Florida
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Baker County, Florida

Baker Ranks in Top 46% Nationally

Baker County's composite score of 73.1 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in approximately the 46th percentile. The county demonstrates strong livability performance by national standards.

Exceeds Florida's Average

With a score of 73.1, Baker County outperforms Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's top performers. This positions Baker as one of Florida's most livable counties overall.

Affordability and Low Taxes Win

Baker shines with a tax score of 84.6 (effective rate 0.627%) and cost score of 75.3, with median rent at just $1,011 and median home values at $225,000. The county also delivers competitive income levels with a median household income of $70,833.

Data Gaps on Services and Safety

Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality data remain unavailable, limiting the full picture of livability. These missing metrics should be considered when evaluating whether the county meets all family needs.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Earners

Baker County is perfect for families seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing reasonable income levels or tax efficiency. The strong showing across fiscal metrics makes it an excellent value choice for practical Floridians.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.6Cost75.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.6Risk86.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.8
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 Baker County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693
Buchanan County
Iowa
72.2
Median income: $78,430

Deep Dives

Baker County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Baker County

via TaxByCounty

Baker taxes well below national average

Baker County's effective tax rate of 0.627% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.73%, placing it near the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,410 runs $1,280 below the national median, even though home values are comparable.

Baker is Florida's tax bargain

Baker's 0.627% effective rate ranks as one of the lowest in Florida, well below the state average of 0.731%. At just $1,410 in median annual taxes, Baker homeowners save $475 yearly compared to the state average of $1,885.

Baker undercuts all regional peers

Baker's 0.627% rate beats Bradford County (0.567%) slightly and vastly outperforms Alachua County's 0.983%. Among North Florida counties, only Bradford and Calhoun offer comparable tax savings.

Your annual tax bill in Baker

On a median home value of $225,000, Baker residents pay approximately $1,410 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related expenses, the full bill comes to roughly $1,610 per year.

Even low taxes can be lowered

Even in affordable-tax Baker County, some homeowners remain overassessed and eligible for appeals. Contacting the Property Appraiser's office about a potential informal appeal is free and could provide additional relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Baker County

via CostByCounty

Baker County is genuinely affordable

Baker County residents spend just 17.1% of income on rent—well below the national affordability threshold and among Florida's best values. At $1,011 monthly on a $70,833 median income, renters here preserve more cash for other needs than most Americans.

Best rent-to-income ratio in North Florida

Baker's 17.1% rent burden ranks in Florida's most affordable tier, beating the state average of 22.5% by 5.4 percentage points. Few Florida counties deliver this combination of reasonable rents and decent household income.

Unbeaten value in the rural North

Baker's $1,011 rent and 17.1% burden outperform Alachua (25.2%), Bradford (16.8%, though cheaper rent), and Bay County (24.4%). Bradford edges slightly cheaper on rent alone, but Baker's higher income makes housing proportionally more manageable.

Balanced affordability for renters and owners

Renters spend 17.1% of income while homeowners spend 16.4%, creating rare parity in housing burdens. A median home value of $225,000 and monthly owner cost of $973 offer accessible homeownership paths alongside affordable rentals.

Hidden gem for budget-conscious relocators

Baker County delivers genuine affordability without sacrificing income—a rare combination in modern Florida. If you're fleeing high-cost metros and seeking rural quiet with 17% housing costs, Baker deserves your serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Baker County

via IncomeByCounty

Baker keeps pace with national earnings

Baker County's median household income of $70,833 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, just $3,922 behind. This strong performance places Baker in the upper-middle tier nationally, suggesting a resilient local economy with balanced employment across multiple sectors.

Above Florida's state income average

Baker County's $70,833 median household income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by $5,365, positioning it in the upper third of Florida counties. The county punches well above its weight for a rural North Florida community, driven by stable employment in forestry, agriculture, and small manufacturing.

Baker leads its regional peer group

Baker ($70,833) significantly outearns neighboring Alachua County ($59,659) and Bradford County ($59,740), making it the income leader in the North Florida region. This advantage reflects Baker's diverse economic base and lower cost of living compared to college-town Alachua.

Housing costs remain highly affordable

Baker's rent-to-income ratio of just 17.1% is the lowest among regional peers, indicating excellent housing affordability. Combined with a median home value of $225,000, Baker households enjoy significant financial breathing room compared to state and national benchmarks.

Invest savings in your family's future

With strong income and low housing costs, Baker County households have genuine opportunity to save and invest. Automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts and diversified investment portfolios can help families build generational wealth faster than the national average.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Baker County

via HealthByCounty

Baker County faces significant health gaps

At 73.5 years, Baker County residents live more than 2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 19.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county's health burden exceeds the national average of 21%—a warning sign of healthcare and economic barriers.

Among Florida's lowest life expectancies

Baker County's 73.5-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom of Florida counties, falling 2.3 years behind the state average of 75.8 years. The 19.5% poor/fair health rate signals widespread chronic conditions and limited preventive care access compared to healthier Florida communities.

Isolation compounds health challenges

Baker's 73.5-year life expectancy trails neighbor Alachua County by more than 4 years, and its 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents one-quarter the density of Alachua. With only 134 mental health providers per 100,000, Baker residents face significant waits and travel burdens to find behavioral health support.

Coverage gaps leave families vulnerable

At 10.8% uninsured, Baker County slightly beats the state average, yet sparse provider networks mean even covered residents struggle to find care. The shortage of 38 primary care providers per 100,000—less than half the state's typical density—forces residents into costly emergency care and delayed diagnoses.

Enrollment opens doors to care

If you're among the 10.8% uninsured, coverage is your first step to accessing Baker's limited providers and reducing out-of-pocket costs. Apply at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center sliding-scale options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Baker County

via RiskByCounty

Baker County faces very low disaster risk

Baker County's composite risk score of 13.26 places it far below the U.S. average, earning a "Very Low" risk rating. This inland location shelters it from many of the coastal hazards that plague Florida's more exposed counties.

Lowest-risk county in Florida

Baker's score of 13.26 is dramatically lower than Florida's 75.74 state average, making it the safest county in the state. Only a handful of other inland Florida counties come close to Baker's favorable risk profile.

Safest in its region by far

Baker County (13.26) sits well below neighboring Bradford County (36.86) and dramatically safer than Alachua County (90.33). Its inland, northern location provides natural protection unavailable to Florida's coastal and central counties.

Wildfire and hurricane exposure worth monitoring

Despite very low overall risk, wildfire risk scores 76.21—Baker's highest hazard—reflecting Florida's dry season vulnerability. Hurricane risk (74.47) remains present even this far inland, though the county's small population limits overall exposure.

Standard homeowners insurance generally sufficient

Baker County residents benefit from exceptional safety; standard homeowners insurance typically covers the county's modest risks. Verify your policy includes wildfire coverage if you live near forested areas, though flood insurance is generally low-priority here.

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.