CountyScore

Broome County

New York · NY

#51 in New York
54.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Broome County, New York

Broome matches the national livability median

Broome County's composite score of 51.9 sits just above the national median of 50.0, placing it squarely in the middle of American county livability. This central New York county delivers baseline livability without excelling in any particular dimension.

Below average for New York state

Broome's score of 51.9 trails New York's state average of 54.7, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 62 counties. The county underperforms most of its regional neighbors and downstate peers.

Affordability attracts budget-conscious movers

Broome's cost score of 76.9 reflects strong housing affordability, with a median home value of $145,100 and rent at $914/month—among the lowest in this set. This economic accessibility is the county's primary livability advantage.

Taxes and wages limit household wealth

Broome's tax score of 28.1 and income score of 23.2 both rank in the lower range, with an effective tax rate of 2.635% and median household income of $61,059 constraining household financial growth. The absence of safety, health, and school data prevents a complete livability picture.

Gateway county for cost-first families

Broome County appeals to families and workers prioritizing housing affordability and lower costs over income growth or tax optimization in a mid-sized regional economy. The county serves as a practical choice for those seeking reasonable living expenses and modest urban amenities in upstate New York.

Score breakdown

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

Tax28.1Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.2Risk12.5WaterComing Soon
🏛28.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.5
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 Broome County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

San Benito County
California
54.8
Median income: $108,289
Galveston County
Texas
54.8
Median income: $85,348
Capitol Planning Region
Connecticut
54.7
Median income: $91,541
Lubbock County
Texas
54.7
Median income: $63,367
Monterey County
California
54.9
Median income: $94,486

Deep Dives

Broome County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Broome County

via TaxByCounty

Broome taxes well above New York average

Broome County's effective tax rate of 2.635% significantly exceeds the New York state average of 2.046%, placing it among the pricier counties statewide. The median property tax of $3,824 is 42% higher than the national median of $2,690, driven by a 2.635% rate applied to median homes valued at $145,100.

High-tax county in New York rankings

Broome County ranks among the upper third of New York's 62 counties for effective tax rates at 2.635%. The county consistently collects above-state-average taxes relative to home values, placing a heavier burden on owners.

Pricier than most regional peers

Broome's 2.635% rate exceeds Cayuga County's 2.282% and Chemung County's 2.522%, making it the highest-taxed in this central-New York cluster. Home values are mid-range for the region at $145,100, but the elevated rate compounds the cost.

Approximately $3,824 annually

On Broome's median home value of $145,100, you'll owe roughly $3,824 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $4,026; without, it drops to $3,546.

Overassessment is costing you money

With rates this steep, even a small overassessment could mean $200–$500 yearly in unnecessary taxes. A formal appeal takes minimal effort and can deliver immediate, lasting relief if your home is valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Broome County

via CostByCounty

Broome hits national affordability balance

Broome County renters spend 18.0% of income on housing, nearly matching the national average of 17.0%, with a median household income of $61,059 running about $13,700 below the national median. The county's affordability sits right at the inflection point where housing remains manageable without excess strain.

Slightly above New York average

Broome County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% edges above New York's state average of 17.6%, placing it in the moderate affordability band across the state's counties. The $914 median rent runs $219 below the state average, offering a sweet spot for Upstate residents.

Affordable relative to region

Broome's $914 rent sits between rural bastions like Cattaraugus ($759) and mid-tier counties like Chemung ($1,020), with home values of $145,100 representing accessible ownership. As the Binghamton area's anchor, Broome maintains small-city affordability despite regional economic revival.

Balanced housing-income equation

Renters spend 18.0% of the $61,059 median income on $914 monthly rent, while homeowners dedicate 19.3% to ownership costs ($983/month). Both figures leave room for savings and discretionary spending compared to state and national medians.

Sweet spot for upstate movers

Broome County offers genuine Upstate New York character—a mid-sized regional city with affordable housing and emerging cultural momentum—without the affordability penalty of larger metros. If you earn around $60,000–$75,000 and seek a revitalized post-industrial community, Broome delivers exceptional housing economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Broome County

via IncomeByCounty

Broome income falls short of national median

Broome County's median household income of $61,059 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $13,700, or 18%. This below-average performance reflects the county's transition away from manufacturing and reliance on smaller service and retail employers.

Broome struggles on New York's income ladder

Broome ranks in the lower-middle tier of New York State's 62 counties, with a median household income $15,374 below the state average of $76,433. The county's per capita income of $35,116 also trails the state average of $41,133 by roughly $6,000.

Broome outearns some upstate peers

Broome's $61,059 median household income exceeds Chautauqua ($56,507) and Cattaraugus ($58,248) but falls below Cayuga ($66,583) and Albany ($83,149). The county's position reflects its status as a moderate-income region dependent on education, healthcare, and small manufacturing.

Housing costs remain reasonably manageable

Broome's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, making both renting and homeownership feasible for typical households. With a median home value of $145,100, the county offers balanced affordability relative to earning capacity.

Invest strategically in your financial future

Broome households with moderate incomes can still build wealth through consistent saving and smart investment choices, particularly given reasonable housing costs. Maximize employer retirement contributions, explore tax-advantaged savings accounts, and diversify investments to compound earnings over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Broome County

via HealthByCounty

Broome County health below national average

At 76.5 years, Broome County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by only 0.4 years, but its 15.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18%. These metrics suggest residents face preventable health challenges.

Mid-tier health metrics statewide

Broome County's 76.5-year life expectancy falls 1.4 years short of New York State's 77.9-year average. Its 5.2% uninsured rate is nearly identical to the state average of 5.3%, indicating average insurance coverage.

Similar struggles with nearby regions

Broome County's 76.5-year life expectancy mirrors Chemung County (75.0 years) and Allegany County (76.8 years), reflecting broader health challenges in rural upstate New York. With 79 primary care providers per 100,000, Broome has better access than many neighboring counties.

Moderate provider access, moderate coverage

Broome County has 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a respectable supply that puts it ahead of many upstate counties. With 5.2% uninsured and 264 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers reasonable healthcare infrastructure.

Keep your coverage strong and current

With a 5.2% uninsured rate, most Broome County residents have coverage—but annual changes in jobs and income require regular plan reviews. Visit healthcare.gov in October to compare options or update your coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Broome County

via RiskByCounty

Broome ranks among higher-risk counties

With a composite risk score of 87.47 and a relatively moderate rating, Broome County faces above-average disaster exposure compared to the nation. Multiple hazards converge here, making preparedness a shared county priority.

Well above average for New York

Broome's 87.47 score significantly exceeds New York's 69.42 average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's at-risk counties. Only a handful of New York counties face higher composite risk.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Broome County's 87.47 score surpasses Chemung County (54.77) to the south and Cayuga County (61.51) to the northwest, though it ranks slightly above Albany County (85.88). Its location along the Susquehanna River valley amplifies flood exposure relative to neighboring regions.

Flooding poses the greatest hazard

Flood risk soars to 93.19—among the state's highest—followed by tornado risk at 83.59 and hurricane risk at 77.85. Broome's position along major river systems and its basin geography make flood preparedness critically important.

Flood insurance cannot wait

With flood risk at 93.19, flood insurance is essential regardless of your proximity to mapped floodplains—many damaging floods occur outside official zones. Pair this with a solid homeowners policy covering wind and tornado damage, and annually review your emergency plan.

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.