Bear Lake County's composite score of 79.1 ranks it in the top 20% of U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This small, picturesque county delivers exceptional overall livability in a rural setting.
2 / 5
Idaho's Top Performers
Bear Lake County ranks among Idaho's highest-scoring counties with a composite score of 79.1, well above the state average of 72.5. It represents one of the state's genuine success stories in balancing affordability with quality of life.
3 / 5
Unmatched Affordability and Low Risk
Bear Lake County excels across multiple dimensions: cost score of 84.2, tax score of 89.5, and an exceptional risk score of 93.4—the highest in this group. Median rent of $687/month and homes at $234,200 create genuine economic accessibility with minimal environmental vulnerability.
4 / 5
Limited Income Growth Potential
The income score of 27.3 and median household income of $67,304 suggest limited local wage opportunities. Limited employment diversity and smaller job market require either remote work capability or acceptance of modest income levels.
5 / 5
Perfect for Resilient Remote Workers
Bear Lake County appeals to remote workers, retirees, and families seeking exceptional affordability, rock-bottom environmental risk, and small-town charm. Location works best for those with independent income sources or telecommute flexibility.
Bear Lake County's composite score of 79.1 ranks it in the top 20% of U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This small, picturesque county delivers exceptional overall livability in a rural setting.
Idaho's Top Performers
Bear Lake County ranks among Idaho's highest-scoring counties with a composite score of 79.1, well above the state average of 72.5. It represents one of the state's genuine success stories in balancing affordability with quality of life.
Unmatched Affordability and Low Risk
Bear Lake County excels across multiple dimensions: cost score of 84.2, tax score of 89.5, and an exceptional risk score of 93.4—the highest in this group. Median rent of $687/month and homes at $234,200 create genuine economic accessibility with minimal environmental vulnerability.
Limited Income Growth Potential
The income score of 27.3 and median household income of $67,304 suggest limited local wage opportunities. Limited employment diversity and smaller job market require either remote work capability or acceptance of modest income levels.
Perfect for Resilient Remote Workers
Bear Lake County appeals to remote workers, retirees, and families seeking exceptional affordability, rock-bottom environmental risk, and small-town charm. Location works best for those with independent income sources or telecommute flexibility.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛89.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bear Lake County's effective tax rate of 0.453% sits well below the national median of 0.49%, placing it in the lowest quartile of American counties. With a median property tax of just $1,061 versus the national median of $2,690, Bear Lake offers exceptional tax affordability.
Bear Lake ranks low within Idaho
At 0.453%, Bear Lake County's effective tax rate falls below Idaho's state average of 0.508% by 11%, making it one of the state's more affordable counties. The median tax of $1,061 is 31% below the state average of $1,529, offering genuine relief for property owners.
Bear Lake's competitive regional position
Bear Lake County's 0.453% rate is lower than Bannock County (0.718%) to the south and comparable to other rural northern Idaho counties. Among its immediate neighbors, Bear Lake offers some of the most tax-friendly conditions for homeownership.
Bear Lake County annual tax payment
On a median home valued at $234,200, Bear Lake County homeowners pay an estimated $1,061 per year in property taxes. Payments vary from $927 for outright owners to $1,237 for those with mortgages, reflecting assessment and exemption differences.
Even low-tax Bear Lake warrants review
Though Bear Lake's rates are already favorable, overassessments still happen in rural counties. Comparing your assessed value to recent comparable sales takes minimal time and could uncover unexpected savings worth challenging.
Bear Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of just 12.3% ranks among America's most affordable markets, with renters dedicating a modest $687 monthly to housing. Though median household income of $67,304 falls below the national median of $74,755, the county's exceptionally low rents create outsized affordability.
Idaho's most affordable rental market
Bear Lake County's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio crushes Idaho's state average of 16.8%, offering renters remarkable savings compared to peers statewide. At $687 monthly, median rent runs $232 below the state median of $919—the lowest in the state by this data.
Bear Lake undercuts all neighboring counties
Bear Lake County's median rent of $687 significantly undercuts Bannock County ($879), Bingham County ($845), and Benewah County ($853). This rural county's median home value of $234,200 also ranks among the state's lowest, making homeownership accessible.
Housing consumes just 12% of household income
Bear Lake County residents spend $687 monthly on rent and $787 on ownership costs, both remarkably low relative to the $67,304 median household income. This leaves ample room for savings, healthcare, and other essentials—a rare luxury in today's housing market.
Bear Lake: affordability's ultimate destination
If housing affordability is your paramount concern, Bear Lake County offers unmatched value in Idaho and competitive pricing nationally. Weigh the tradeoff: ultra-low costs come with rural isolation and limited job diversity, but the financial relief is substantial.
At $67,304, Bear Lake County's median household income falls 10% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The rural county's economy remains below the national standard despite stable employment in agriculture and small business.
Bear Lake slightly exceeds Idaho's average
Bear Lake County's $67,304 median household income edges above Idaho's state average of $65,770 by about $1,500. The county's agricultural heritage and stable employment patterns place it in the middle tier of Idaho counties.
Bear Lake outperforms most eastern neighbors
Bear Lake County's $67,304 income exceeds Bannock ($64,080) and Benewah ($56,553), reflecting a relatively diversified rural economy. The county's position in eastern Idaho's agricultural belt supports steady, if modest, household earnings.
Exceptional housing affordability advantage
Bear Lake County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio of the surveyed counties at just 12.3%, with median homes at $234,200. This strong affordability cushion gives residents substantial capacity to save and invest despite moderate incomes.
Leverage affordability for financial security
Bear Lake County's exceptional housing affordability creates a unique opportunity to build wealth through consistent savings and retirement investments. Residents should capitalize on low housing costs to fund emergency reserves, education savings, and long-term investment accounts.
At 77.9 years, Bear Lake County's life expectancy closely matches the U.S. average of 76.1 years, tracking 1.8 years above the baseline. However, 15.3% of Bear Lake residents report poor or fair health, approaching the national rate of 17.8%.
Bear Lake slightly above Idaho standard
Bear Lake County's 77.9-year life expectancy edges above Idaho's 77.5-year average by a modest 0.4 years. The county's 15.3% poor/fair health rate positions it near the middle of Idaho's county spectrum.
Bear Lake ranks middle of this group
At 77.9 years, Bear Lake sits between Benewah (73.9) and Adams (79.2), offering moderate health outcomes for its region. Its 76 primary care providers per 100,000 residents provide reasonable access, exceeding Benewah and Bingham but trailing Ada.
Good coverage, limited mental health options
Bear Lake's 8.8% uninsured rate beats Idaho's 11.7% average, indicating strong insurance penetration across the county. However, only 59 mental health providers per 100,000 residents serve behavioral health needs—among the lowest in this group.
Bear Lake residents: verify your status now
With 8.8% uninsured, one in eleven Bear Lake residents lacks health coverage and faces serious financial risk. Visit healthcare.gov today to confirm your coverage is current and find plans that include mental health and preventive services.
Bear Lake County's composite risk score of just 6.58 places it among the safest counties in the nation, far below the national average of 50. This extraordinary safety profile reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards, making it one of America's lowest-risk jurisdictions.
Idaho's safest county by a wide margin
Bear Lake County's score of 6.58 is dramatically lower than Idaho's state average of 38.51—a 5.8x difference that makes it the state's clear safety leader. No other Idaho county comes close to matching this exceptionally low-risk profile.
Bear Lake far safer than regional peers
Bear Lake County's 6.58 score is a fraction of Bannock County's 66.89 and Bingham County's 60.15, positioning it as a remarkable outlier in southeastern Idaho. Its isolation and location provide natural protection from multiple hazard categories.
Earthquake is the only moderate concern
Bear Lake County's earthquake risk of 68.89 is its highest hazard score, though still below state average for this threat. Wildfire (78.37), flood (7.22), and tornado risks are all exceptionally low, making this county one of Idaho's true safe havens.
Earthquake coverage is your priority
While Bear Lake County enjoys exceptional overall safety, earthquake insurance should be your primary consideration given a 68.89 risk score in this category. Standard homeowners insurance is generally sufficient for other hazards in this remarkably low-risk county.