Bath County's composite score of 78.8 crushes the national median of 50.0 by nearly 58%, ranking among the most livable counties across America despite its small, rural character. This exceptional score reflects tremendous value in housing and tax efficiency that defies its modest profile.
2 / 5
Virginia's hidden gem
Bath County ranks among Virginia's best with a score of 78.8, significantly ahead of the state average of 70.3. The county punches well above its size and population, offering livability comparable to much larger, more developed areas.
3 / 5
Unbeatable affordability and low taxes
Bath delivers a cost score of 83.5 and tax score of 90.9—among the state's best—with median rent at just $825/month and home values of $206,000. An effective tax rate of 0.405% ranks Bath among Virginia's lowest-tax jurisdictions, freeing up household budgets for other priorities.
4 / 5
Limited income and incomplete picture
Bath's income score of 23.7 reflects a median household income of $61,709, suggesting fewer high-wage job opportunities locally. School quality, health outcomes, safety, and environmental data remain unavailable, making it hard to assess the full livability package.
5 / 5
Perfect for budget-first retirees
Bath County is ideal for retirees and cost-conscious households willing to trade income potential for exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden. It's the rare county where your dollar stretches furthest, though job seekers may need to look elsewhere.
Bath County's composite score of 78.8 crushes the national median of 50.0 by nearly 58%, ranking among the most livable counties across America despite its small, rural character. This exceptional score reflects tremendous value in housing and tax efficiency that defies its modest profile.
Virginia's hidden gem
Bath County ranks among Virginia's best with a score of 78.8, significantly ahead of the state average of 70.3. The county punches well above its size and population, offering livability comparable to much larger, more developed areas.
Unbeatable affordability and low taxes
Bath delivers a cost score of 83.5 and tax score of 90.9—among the state's best—with median rent at just $825/month and home values of $206,000. An effective tax rate of 0.405% ranks Bath among Virginia's lowest-tax jurisdictions, freeing up household budgets for other priorities.
Limited income and incomplete picture
Bath's income score of 23.7 reflects a median household income of $61,709, suggesting fewer high-wage job opportunities locally. School quality, health outcomes, safety, and environmental data remain unavailable, making it hard to assess the full livability package.
Perfect for budget-first retirees
Bath County is ideal for retirees and cost-conscious households willing to trade income potential for exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden. It's the rare county where your dollar stretches furthest, though job seekers may need to look elsewhere.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛90.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.405%, Bath County has the lowest effective tax rate in this region and sits in the bottom 15% nationally. The median property tax of $834 is roughly 69% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Bath is Virginia's most tax-friendly county
Bath's 0.405% effective rate is the lowest among all Virginia counties, well below the state average of 0.671%. At just $834 annually, the median property tax is less than 43% of the state median of $1,960.
Regional tax leader by a wide margin
Bath significantly undercuts every other county in the region, with a rate 22% lower than Buchanan (0.442%) and 40% lower than Bland (0.552%). On a median home value of $206,000, Bath residents enjoy some of the lowest property tax burdens in Virginia.
What homeowners pay annually
On Bath's median home value of $206,000, the typical annual property tax bill is $834. Homeowners with mortgages pay $917, while those owning outright pay $770.
Protect your low-tax advantage
Even at the state's lowest tax rate, some Bath County homeowners may still be overassessed based on comparable sales. Consider requesting a reassessment if your property hasn't been reviewed in several years.
Bath County renters pay just $825 monthly—one of Virginia's lowest rents—with a rent-to-income ratio of 16.0%, well below the 30% affordability ceiling. Though household income lags the national median at $61,709, residents here spend a lower percentage of earnings on housing than the typical American.
Stands out for rural Virginia affordability
Bath County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio beats Virginia's 18.6% average, and its $825 median rent is $315 cheaper than the state average. This rural county ranks among the state's most affordable places to rent, though incomes are correspondingly modest.
The quiet affordable corner
Bath's $825 rent undercuts nearly all nearby counties—Augusta ($1,057), Bedford ($955), and Botetourt ($951) are all substantially pricier. The trade-off: Bath's median income of $61,709 is the lowest in this regional cluster, reflecting a more rural economic base.
Low rent, low income, tight budgets
Renters spend $825 monthly while homeowners pay $660, keeping housing costs remarkably low in absolute terms. Yet with a median income of $61,709, that $825 rent still consumes 16.0% of household earnings—tighter than wealthier counties despite lower nominal costs.
Bath County: housing won't break your bank
If affordability is your priority and you can work remotely or have flexible employment, Bath County's $825 rent is hard to beat in Virginia. Just factor in the lower local wages and ensure your income source is portable before making the move to this rural Allegheny region.
Bath County's median household income of $61,709 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $13,000 per year. This gap reflects economic conditions that differ from the national norm, highlighting local earning challenges.
Below-average earner in Virginia
At $61,709, Bath County's median household income falls about $13,200 below Virginia's state average of $74,957. This positioning places Bath among the lower-earning Virginia counties, signaling a need for economic development focus.
Mixed fortunes among mountain counties
Bath County ($61,709) earns more than Bland County ($61,375) but significantly less than nearby Botetourt ($80,467) and Augusta ($79,972). The regional income diversity reflects differences in industry presence and population dynamics across the Appalachian foothills.
Housing remains affordable here
Bath County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, offering residents breathing room in their budgets. A median home value of $206,000 is achievable for households earning the county median, making homeownership realistic.
Start small, aim big with Bath's affordability
Lower housing costs free up capital for emergency savings and retirement planning—often harder to prioritize in higher-income areas. Bath residents should leverage this affordability advantage to build savings accounts and consider employer retirement plans as foundational wealth-building tools.
Life expectancy in Bath County stands at 74.4 years, trailing the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 2.0 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (21.8%) report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national average and signaling meaningful health struggles.
Below average across Virginia
Bath County's life expectancy of 74.4 years falls well below Virginia's 75.1-year state average. The county ranks among the lower-performing regions in the state, with health outcomes suggesting systemic barriers to wellness.
Most challenged in local peer group
Bath County's 74.4-year life expectancy is the lowest among its neighboring mountain counties, trailing Augusta (78.0 years) by 3.6 years. Data on primary care provider availability is limited, though the county has 25 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—below the broader regional average.
Uninsured rates lower, provider access unclear
Bath County's 6.8% uninsured rate performs slightly better than Virginia's 7.9% average, suggesting reasonable insurance access. However, limited data on primary care providers raises questions about whether residents can find routine medical care nearby, potentially contributing to delayed or deferred treatment.
Ensure coverage with open enrollment
If you're among the uninsured, the marketplace is your pathway to affordable care. Head to healthcare.gov to explore your options and find a plan that provides the primary care access Bath County residents need.
Bath County enjoys exceptionally low disaster risk
Bath County's composite risk score of 5.38 ranks among the lowest in the nation, earning a 'Very Low' rating. This is dramatically below the national average and reflects favorable geography, distance from major fault lines, and limited exposure to severe weather corridors. Your county is genuinely among America's safest from a natural disaster perspective.
Virginia's safest county from natural hazards
Bath County's score of 5.38 is less than one-sixth of Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the state's most resilient county against natural disasters. This distinction is meaningful: residents here face substantially lower property risk and insurance premiums than most of their neighbors statewide. The county's mountain topography and distance from hurricane tracks contribute significantly to this advantage.
Bath sits in Virginia's safest cluster
Neighboring Bland County (13.04) and Botetourt County (18.10) also rank very low, creating a pocket of natural disaster resilience in southwestern Virginia. Augusta County (68.61) to the south breaks this pattern dramatically, illustrating how quickly risk profiles shift across the state. You're fortunate to live in one of Virginia's most protected regions.
Hurricane exposure tops a very modest list
Even Bath County's highest risk category—hurricanes at 47.56—remains below state average, reflecting the county's inland mountain location. Earthquake risk (21.56), wildfire (20.99), and flood (16.70) all score in the low range, with tornado risk nearly negligible at 4.39. Overall, this is a remarkably balanced and low-risk hazard profile.
Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient
Bath County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without expensive specialized riders. However, don't assume no risk: evaluate your specific property's elevation and proximity to waterways, and review your coverage limits to ensure they reflect current replacement costs. Annual policy reviews remain a best practice regardless of county-level risk.