CountyScore

Berks County

Pennsylvania · PA

#64 in Pennsylvania
57.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Berks County, Pennsylvania

Berks County Exceeds National Average

Berks County's composite score of 57.8 stands 16% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. However, this is the lowest score among the eight counties profiled here.

Bottom Performer in This Cohort

Berks County scores 57.8, a notable 8.2 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, ranking it in the lower half of state counties. This gap signals structural challenges in tax efficiency or housing costs that outweigh other strengths.

Strong Income Potential

Berks County's income score of 34.1 is among the highest in this group, with a median household income of $77,684, providing solid earning capacity. The cost score of 67.7 also offers reasonable housing affordability with median rent at $1,143 per month.

High Tax Burden Weighs Heavily

The tax score of 52.5 and effective tax rate of 1.768%—the highest in this cohort—represent a significant drag on overall livability. Critical dimensions of safety, health, schools, and environmental quality lack available data for a complete picture.

Best for High-Income Tax Acceptors

Berks County appeals to higher-earning families comfortable with above-average tax rates in exchange for good income potential and moderate housing costs. It requires deeper assessment of schools and community amenities to evaluate long-term household fit.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.5Cost67.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.1Risk7.3WaterComing Soon
🏛52.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.3
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 Berks County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chemung County
New York
57.4
Median income: $63,469
Steuben County
New York
57.4
Median income: $64,740
Chautauqua County
New York
57.5
Median income: $56,507
Cortland County
New York
57.5
Median income: $67,527
Erie County
New York
57.3
Median income: $71,175

Deep Dives

Berks County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Berks County

via TaxByCounty

Berks County has one of the nation's highest rates

Berks County's effective rate of 1.768% ranks in the top 10% of all U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 1.300%. The median annual property tax of $4,238 is 58% higher than the national median of $2,690, making Berks one of America's highest-tax counties.

Pennsylvania's highest tax burden overall

Berks County carries the highest effective tax rate in Pennsylvania at 1.768%, nearly 35% above the state average of 1.317%. Median annual taxes of $4,238 dwarf the state median of $2,657 by 60%, the steepest burden statewide.

Significantly higher taxes than regional peers

Berks County's 1.768% rate far exceeds all other counties in this comparison, including Adams County (1.394%), making it the costliest county in Eastern Pennsylvania. This elevated rate reflects high municipal and school district spending in the region.

What the median homeowner pays yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($239,700) in Berks County pays approximately $4,238 annually in property taxes—by far the highest amount among the eight counties. With a mortgage, that rises to $4,459; without, it falls to $3,849.

Assessment appeals carry highest savings potential

Given Berks County's exceptionally high tax rate, even a small reduction in assessed value yields substantial annual savings. Many homeowners in high-tax counties are significantly overassessed; appealing your property's valuation could save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Berks County

via CostByCounty

Berks stretches household budgets

Berks County renters spend 17.7% of income on housing—above the national average and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. With a median household income of $77,684 and median rent of $1,143, Berks represents one of the region's tighter affordability markets.

Among Pennsylvania's pricier counties

Berks ranks among the less affordable Pennsylvania counties with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.7%, the highest in this eight-county set. Monthly rent of $1,143 runs $183 above the state average of $960, reflecting strong regional demand.

Berks commands regional premium

Berks' $1,143 rent is the highest among all comparison counties—$341 above Armstrong and $232 above Beaver. Home values near $239,700 similarly position Berks as one of the region's priciest markets, second only to Adams.

Berks' elevated housing costs

Renters spend $1,143 monthly (17.7% of income), while homeowners pay $1,308 (20.2%)—the highest ownership burden in this region. Together, these costs consume more than one-third of household earnings when considering both rental and ownership pathways.

Berks for growth and amenities

Berks County's higher housing costs reflect strong job growth and urban amenities—consider this trade-off if relocating for career advancement. Compare affordability to nearby Armstrong, Bedford, or Beaver to maximize your housing dollar.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Berks County

via IncomeByCounty

Berks outearns the national household median

Berks County's median household income of $77,684 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 3.9%, placing it solidly above national averages. This advantage reflects a diverse, competitive regional economy in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Top-tier earner among Pennsylvania counties

Berks' $77,684 median household income surpasses Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by 11.6%, ranking it among the state's highest-earning counties. Per capita income of $39,012 also exceeds the state average of $37,407.

Leads income rankings in central-eastern region

Berks households earn $77,684, ahead of regional peers like Adams County ($81,071) and Allegheny County ($76,393). The county's manufacturing, agriculture, and service sectors support above-average regional wages.

Tight housing market reflects strong demand

Berks' rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% remains below affordability thresholds, though median home values of $239,700 reflect strong housing demand. Households earning the county median of $77,684 can access homeownership, though affordability margins are tighter than some peers.

Capitalize on above-average earning power

Berks County residents with median incomes of $77,684 are well-positioned for aggressive savings and investment strategies. Consider diversifying assets, maximizing retirement contributions, and exploring wealth-building opportunities suited to above-average earners.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Berks County

via HealthByCounty

Berks County nears national averages

At 77.8 years, Berks County residents live 1.4 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a solid health advantage. However, the 18.1% poor/fair health rate moderately exceeds national norms, indicating that despite decent lifespans, residents report notable chronic-health challenges.

Above Pennsylvania's health midline

Berks County's 77.8-year life expectancy ranks above Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average by 1.4 years, placing it among the healthier counties statewide. The 18.1% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds the state trend, suggesting pockets of health vulnerability within an otherwise strong county.

Solid performer in southeast PA

Berks County's 77.8-year life expectancy trails only Adams County (78.8 years) in this group and exceeds Bradford County (77.2 years) by 0.6 years. Its 18.1% poor/fair health rate sits mid-range among nearby counties, suggesting balanced demographic health profiles.

Moderate access, above-average uninsured

Berks County has 63 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—better than rural counties but below Pittsburgh levels—and a 7.5% uninsured rate, the highest in this group. This means roughly 1 in 13 Berks residents lack coverage, creating gaps in preventive care access despite adequate provider supply.

Close Berks County coverage gaps

With 7.5% of residents uninsured, Berks County faces the highest uninsured rate in this group—roughly 17,000 people who could access care with a plan. Visit healthcare.gov or call the Berks County assistance line to explore free and low-cost insurance options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Berks County

via RiskByCounty

Berks County Faces Well-Above-Average Risk

Berks County's composite risk score of 92.72 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a relatively moderate risk rating. This southeastern Pennsylvania county experiences significant exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

Second-Highest-Risk County in Pennsylvania

Berks County's score of 92.72 ranks as Pennsylvania's second-most hazardous county, trailing only Allegheny (98.09) by roughly 5 points. The county exceeds the state average of 67.45 by 37 percent, placing it in a distinctly vulnerable tier.

Significantly Riskier Than Surrounding Counties

Berks County residents face substantially higher hazard exposure than nearby Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester counties, which all score in the 70s. The county's 92.72 score reflects greater vulnerability than most of its regional peers.

Hurricanes, Flooding, and Tornadoes Converge

Hurricane risk peaks at 92.53 in Berks County, while flood risk (94.82) and tornado risk (90.62) follow closely, creating a convergence of major hazards. Earthquake risk also runs high at 91.25, making Berks a multifaceted hazard zone.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Essential Now

Berks County homeowners must obtain flood insurance immediately; the county's 94.82 flood risk indicates widespread vulnerability. Additionally, ensure your policy covers tornado, wind, and hurricane damage, and strongly consider earthquake coverage given the 91.25 risk—bundle policies if possible to manage premiums.

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.