Belmont County's composite score of 72.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22 points, ranking it in the 44th percentile nationally. The county performs solidly above average on measured economic and tax metrics.
2 / 5
Above-average for Ohio
At 72.1, Belmont County scores 3.3 points above Ohio's state average of 68.8, placing it among the stronger-performing counties statewide. The county's profile reflects better-than-typical financial conditions for an Ohio county.
3 / 5
Ultra-affordable housing, excellent taxes
Belmont County delivers a cost score of 83.1 with the lowest median home value in this group at $143,000 and median rent at just $769/month. An effective tax rate of 0.993% and tax score of 74.3 mean residents pocket more income while accessing dirt-cheap real estate.
4 / 5
Modest income levels
The income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,411, below peers like Ashland and Auglaize counties. Important dimensions including safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured.
5 / 5
Perfect for retirees and budget seekers
Belmont County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum housing purchasing power on modest incomes. The combination of the lowest home values, rock-bottom rent, and favorable tax treatment makes it ideal for those prioritizing affordability above all else.
Belmont County's composite score of 72.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22 points, ranking it in the 44th percentile nationally. The county performs solidly above average on measured economic and tax metrics.
Above-average for Ohio
At 72.1, Belmont County scores 3.3 points above Ohio's state average of 68.8, placing it among the stronger-performing counties statewide. The county's profile reflects better-than-typical financial conditions for an Ohio county.
Ultra-affordable housing, excellent taxes
Belmont County delivers a cost score of 83.1 with the lowest median home value in this group at $143,000 and median rent at just $769/month. An effective tax rate of 0.993% and tax score of 74.3 mean residents pocket more income while accessing dirt-cheap real estate.
Modest income levels
The income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,411, below peers like Ashland and Auglaize counties. Important dimensions including safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured.
Perfect for retirees and budget seekers
Belmont County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum housing purchasing power on modest incomes. The combination of the lowest home values, rock-bottom rent, and favorable tax treatment makes it ideal for those prioritizing affordability above all else.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛74.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Belmont County's effective rate of 0.993% sits below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The median annual property tax of $1,420 is roughly half the national median of $2,690.
Belmont ranks below Ohio average
With an effective rate of 0.993%, Belmont County falls below the Ohio state average of 1.148%, ranking in the lower-middle of the state's 88 counties. The $1,420 median tax bill is notably below Ohio's $2,145 average.
Among the region's lower-tax counties
Belmont County's 0.993% rate is competitive with other lower-tax areas like Ashland (1.016%) and Allen (1.125%), though it falls short of the lowest-tax counties Adams and Brown (both 0.827%). It offers an attractive tax environment regionally.
A $143,000 home costs $1,420 yearly
The median Belmont County home is valued at $143,000, resulting in an annual property tax of approximately $1,420 at the 0.993% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,487, while outright owners pay $1,333.
Verify your home's assessed value
Belmont County homeowners should confirm that their assessed values accurately reflect their homes' true market worth. Filing a free appeal with your county auditor is an easy way to ensure you're not overpaying property taxes.
Belmont County renters spend 15.8% of their median household income on gross rent—just above Ohio's 15.6% average but comfortably below the 30% national threshold. With a median income of $58,411 and rent of $769, Belmont offers reasonable affordability without sacrifice.
Belmont ranks solidly statewide
At 15.8%, Belmont County's rent-to-income ratio sits nearly at Ohio's state average of 15.6%, placing it firmly in the middle tier of the state's 88 counties. The county's median rent of $769 falls well below the state average of $873, offsetting slightly lower incomes.
Cheapest rents in eastern Ohio
Belmont's $769 median rent is the lowest among eastern Ohio neighbors, undercutting Ashtabula ($816), Brown ($822), and Ashland ($841). This rent advantage makes Belmont attractive despite the region's generally lower incomes.
Renters and owners fairly balanced
Renters spend $769 monthly (15.8% of income) while owners pay $759—nearly identical burdens on a $58,411 median income. Both tenure types enjoy solid affordability, with median home values at $143,000 among Ohio's lowest.
Eastern Ohio's rental bargain
Belmont County offers eastern Ohio's lowest rents at $769/month with reasonable incomes of $58,411 and a 15.8% cost ratio matching the state average. If you're relocating to Appalachian Ohio and value rent affordability, Belmont competes with any county statewide.
Median household income of $58,411 falls 22% below the U.S. median of $74,755, positioning Belmont in the lower-middle income range nationally. The shortfall reflects Ohio's post-industrial economic patterns.
Below Ohio average by moderate gap
Belmont County's $58,411 trails Ohio's $68,101 state average by $9,690—a 14.2% gap. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier statewide, below average but not severely.
Middle ground among county peers
At $58,411, Belmont exceeds Adams ($49,521) and Athens ($53,837) but lags Ashland ($64,991), Brown ($69,990), and Auglaize ($76,454). The county occupies the regional middle.
Housing costs remain manageable
The 15.8% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing comfortably affordable, leaving reasonable income for other essentials. Families can pursue both basic security and modest savings goals.
Build consistent savings habits
Belmont County's moderate income supports steady wealth building through automatic savings plans and employer benefits. Even modest, consistent investing generates meaningful compound growth over decades.
At 74.1 years, Belmont County residents live 2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The county's 21.9% poor or fair health rate signals persistent chronic disease and health management challenges.
Below Ohio average in health outcomes
Belmont's 74.1-year life expectancy sits 0.7 years below Ohio's 74.8-year state average, positioning it in the lower tier of Ohio's health rankings. The 21.9% poor/fair health rate reflects significant population health strain.
Limited provider access in eastern Ohio
Belmont's 74.1-year life expectancy trails neighboring Jefferson and Carroll counties. With just 27 primary care providers per 100K, Belmont ranks among the region's most underserved for routine medical access.
Provider shortage limits healthcare reach
At 27 primary care providers per 100K, Belmont offers limited routine care access in an economically challenged region. While the 7.3% uninsured rate is near Ohio's average, the scarcity of providers compounds barriers to getting needed care.
Coverage and care coordination matter
Belmont's 7.3% uninsured should act now to secure insurance before gaps widen care access further. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 Ohio to enroll in marketplace plans, Medicaid, and connect with available community health resources.
Belmont County's composite risk score of 75.19 substantially exceeds the national average, with extreme flood vulnerability (86.99) that ranks among the nation's highest. Combined with moderate wildfire and hurricane risks, the county faces elevated natural disaster exposure.
One of Ohio's riskiest counties
At 75.19, Belmont County ranks among Ohio's highest-risk counties, sitting 20.16 points above the state average of 55.03. The county's flood score of 86.99 places it among Ohio's most flood-vulnerable communities.
The riskiest in its immediate area
Belmont County's score of 75.19 significantly exceeds Adams County (43.83), Brown County (62.56), and most other regional neighbors. The county's flood score (86.99) stands as the highest in the region by a substantial margin.
Extreme flooding is the primary threat
Belmont County experiences extreme flood risk at 86.99, among the nation's highest, driven by the county's location in the Ohio River Valley and complex drainage systems. Wildfire risk (40.68) and hurricane risk (55.32) present secondary but notable concerns.
Flood insurance is absolutely essential
Belmont County residents must immediately secure flood insurance—the county's 86.99 flood score indicates pervasive, exceptional vulnerability that standard homeowners policies exclude entirely. Backup generators, elevated utilities, and detailed evacuation routes are critical complements to comprehensive flood insurance.