Bannock County's composite score of 69.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top third of U.S. counties. The county offers above-average livability despite its modest size and regional economy.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Idaho's State Average
Bannock County scores 69.3, falling just below Idaho's state average of 72.5, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. It represents solid livability for a county anchored by Pocatello's regional importance.
3 / 5
Affordability and Favorable Tax Climate
Bannock County scores 77.9 in cost and 82.1 in taxes, offering genuine affordability with median rent at $879/month and homes averaging $267,200. The effective tax rate of 0.718% reflects reasonable public finance burden.
4 / 5
Modest Income and Moderate Risk Exposure
Income scores are low at 25.2, with median household income of $64,080 limiting wealth accumulation opportunities. The risk score of 33.1 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerability compared to stronger performers.
5 / 5
For Cost-Conscious Regional Seekers
Bannock County suits families and workers seeking affordable living with a small-city feel and regional employment hub access. It works best for those willing to trade lower incomes for genuine affordability and stable public services.
Bannock County's composite score of 69.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top third of U.S. counties. The county offers above-average livability despite its modest size and regional economy.
Slightly Below Idaho's State Average
Bannock County scores 69.3, falling just below Idaho's state average of 72.5, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. It represents solid livability for a county anchored by Pocatello's regional importance.
Affordability and Favorable Tax Climate
Bannock County scores 77.9 in cost and 82.1 in taxes, offering genuine affordability with median rent at $879/month and homes averaging $267,200. The effective tax rate of 0.718% reflects reasonable public finance burden.
Modest Income and Moderate Risk Exposure
Income scores are low at 25.2, with median household income of $64,080 limiting wealth accumulation opportunities. The risk score of 33.1 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerability compared to stronger performers.
For Cost-Conscious Regional Seekers
Bannock County suits families and workers seeking affordable living with a small-city feel and regional employment hub access. It works best for those willing to trade lower incomes for genuine affordability and stable public services.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bannock County's effective tax rate of 0.718% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.49%, placing it in the highest quartile of U.S. counties. Though its median property tax of $1,918 sits below the national median of $2,690, Bannock's rate is proportionally much steeper than most American counties.
Bannock leads Idaho counties in tax rate
At 0.718%, Bannock County's effective tax rate is 41% higher than Idaho's state average of 0.508%, making it the highest-rate county in the state. The median tax of $1,918 exceeds the state average by 25%, reflecting Bannock's distinctly aggressive tax structure.
Bannock taxes far exceed nearby counties
Bannock County's 0.718% rate towers above Bear Lake County (0.453%) to the north and Bingham County (0.538%) to the south. Homeowners in Bannock pay significantly more as a percentage of property value than their neighbors in surrounding counties.
Bannock County property tax burden
On a median home valued at $267,200, Bannock County homeowners pay approximately $1,918 annually in property taxes. Mortgage holders pay slightly more ($1,987), while outright owners pay $1,788, a gap larger than most Idaho counties.
Bannock assessment appeals may pay off
With Bannock's notably high tax rate, even modest assessment reductions can yield meaningful savings for homeowners. If your property appears overvalued relative to recent sales in your area, filing an appeal with the assessor is worth the effort.
Bannock County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% sits modestly below the national standard, with renters spending $879 monthly on a median household income of $64,080. This county underperforms the national median income by $10,675, yet maintains solid affordability through measured housing costs.
Bannock tracks closely to Idaho norms
Bannock County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly better than Idaho's average of 16.8%, despite earning $12,762 below the statewide median. With median rent at $879—just below the state median of $919—the county offers balanced affordability.
Bannock sits in the middle of regional costs
Bannock County's median rent of $879 falls between Bingham County's lower-cost $845 and Bear Lake County's $687, reflecting its mid-size economic position. Home values of $267,200 position it as among Idaho's most affordable homebuying markets.
Renters and owners share balanced burden
Bannock County renters spend $879 monthly while homeowners pay $962, both reasonable on a median income of $64,080. At 16.5% of income dedicated to rent, residents retain meaningful earnings for other necessities and discretionary spending.
Bannock balances affordability with opportunity
Relocating to Bannock County means modest housing costs paired with moderate incomes—ideal for those seeking rural living without sacrificing economic balance. The county's stable affordability metrics make long-term budgeting predictable for newcomers.
At $64,080, Bannock County's median household income runs 14% below the national median of $74,755. The county's economy, anchored by Pocatello and regional education and manufacturing, lags national earning power.
Bannock's income ranks slightly above state average
Bannock County's $64,080 median household income sits just below Idaho's state average of $65,770. The county's role as an education and regional services hub keeps it closer to state norms than many rural neighbors.
Mixed performance among regional peers
Bannock County's $64,080 income positions it below Bear Lake ($67,304) but above Benewah ($56,553). The county's urban core in Pocatello supports modest income growth relative to more isolated rural regions.
Housing costs remain manageable here
At 16.5%, Bannock County's rent-to-income ratio remains within the affordable range, with median homes valued at $267,200. Lower housing costs relative to income provide residents breathing room for savings and other living expenses.
Invest in Pocatello's growing opportunities
As the hub for regional education and services, Bannock County offers pathways to income growth through professional development and certification. Residents should prioritize building skills and credentials while taking advantage of stable housing costs to invest in retirement and education funds.
At 75.2 years, Bannock County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 16.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health—just below the national 17.8%—the county faces meaningful health challenges.
Bannock ranks lower than Idaho average
Bannock County's 75.2-year life expectancy trails Idaho's 77.5-year average by 2.3 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 16.8% poor/fair health rate reflects statewide wellness concerns concentrated in this region.
Bannock struggles against peer counties
At 75.2 years, Bannock County lags Bingham County (75.1 years) by just 0.1 years, but trails Benewah (73.9) in a concerning way. With 74 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Bannock offers modest access compared to Ada's 89.
Good insurance access masks care gaps
Bannock's 7.8% uninsured rate beats Idaho's 11.7% average, yet 16.8% report poor health—suggesting access alone doesn't ensure quality care. The county's 470 mental health providers per 100,000 residents represent exceptional mental health capacity, but primary care remains constrained.
Ensure continuous coverage in Bannock
Though Bannock's uninsured rate is below state average, every uninsured resident faces health risk during medical emergencies. Visit healthcare.gov to review your coverage and explore plans that include preventive care to address Bannock's health disparities.
Bannock County's composite risk score of 66.89 exceeds the national average of 50 and earns a 'relatively low' rating. The county faces meaningful exposure to multiple hazards, particularly wildfire and earthquake, though overall risk remains below Ada County's elevated levels.
Above-average risk for Idaho counties
With a score of 66.89, Bannock County ranks above Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. The county's exposure is driven primarily by elevated wildfire and earthquake risks, though it remains safer than several other Idaho regions.
Bannock faces higher risk than nearby counties
Bannock County's 66.89 score substantially exceeds Bingham County (60.15) and significantly surpasses Bear Lake County (6.58) to the north. This positions Bannock in the moderate-risk category among its southeastern Idaho peers.
Wildfire and earthquakes threaten Bannock
Bannock County faces a wildfire risk of 96.91 and earthquake risk of 82.79, both well above state averages and representing the county's most pressing natural hazards. Flood risk (51.88) is moderate, but wildfire and seismic activity pose the greatest threat to homes and infrastructure.
Dual coverage essential for Bannock homes
Bannock County residents need both wildfire and earthquake insurance, neither of which are included in standard policies. Begin by obtaining standalone wildfire and earthquake coverage, then evaluate flood insurance options based on your property's location relative to flood zones.