CountyScore

Calaveras County

California · CA

#23 in California
61.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Calaveras County, California

Calaveras exceeds national livability median

Calaveras County scores 62.5, notably above the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 63rd percentile across all U.S. counties. This Mother Lode foothills community ranks in the upper-middle tier of American livability. The score reflects a balanced quality of life built on affordable housing and reasonable taxes.

Slightly above California's average county

At 62.5, Calaveras edges past California's 61.3 state average, ranking in the middle-to-upper tier of the state's 58 counties. The county performs comparably to other Gold Country communities while maintaining its mountain character. This positioning makes Calaveras a legitimate alternative for Californians seeking livable communities with character.

Solid affordability and tax efficiency

Calaveras combines a cost score of 54.5 with a tax score of 82.2 (0.714% effective rate), creating meaningful affordability. Median home values of $441,800 and rent at $1,615 monthly position the county well below coastal California averages. These factors allow moderate-income families to build equity and savings.

Lower incomes limit economic opportunity

Calaveras' income score of 35.5 reflects a median household income of $79,877—below state and regional averages. The county's smaller economic base and rural character may constrain job diversity and earning potential. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment should inform final livability decisions.

For communities valuing character and affordability

Calaveras County suits families and retirees seeking California living with genuine affordability, scenic beauty, and community identity. The county balances small-town character with reasonable cost-of-living—rare in modern California. Best matched with households willing to trade income potential for quality-of-life and housing stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.2Cost54.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.5Risk13.4WaterComing Soon
🏛82.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.4
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 Calaveras County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Volusia County
Florida
61.6
Median income: $66,581
Washoe County
Nevada
61.6
Median income: $85,600
Butler County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $81,194
Greene County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $85,218
Austin County
Texas
61.6
Median income: $75,994

Deep Dives

Calaveras County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Calaveras County

via TaxByCounty

Calaveras taxes 2.9× national average

Calaveras County's effective tax rate of 0.714% is nearly three times the national median of 0.25%, placing it in the 82nd percentile nationwide. Even this rural Sierra county imposes property taxes well above the American norm.

Exactly at California's state average

Calaveras County's 0.714% effective rate matches California's state average precisely, placing it squarely in the middle tier among all 58 counties. At $3,154 median annual taxes, Calaveras residents pay about 22% less than the state median of $4,045.

Mid-range among foothill peers

Calaveras's 0.714% rate sits above Alpine (0.684%) and Amador (0.695%) but below several Bay Area neighbors like Alameda (0.762%). The county occupies a moderate position within the broader regional landscape.

Calaveras median property tax: $3,154

A typical Calaveras County home valued at $441,800 costs approximately $3,154 annually in property taxes. Mortgaged properties add roughly $240 in annual obligations, totaling $3,396 when including mortgage-related assessments.

Appeal your assessment to lower taxes

Calaveras County homeowners who believe their assessments exceed fair market value can file appeals with the assessor's office. Many properties go uncontested; a successful challenge could reduce your annual burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calaveras County

via CostByCounty

Calaveras taxes renters harder than the nation

Calaveras County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.3% exceeds the national average by 2.3 percentage points, making it one of California's affordability laggards despite a median income of $79,877. Renters spend $1,615 monthly—a cost that commands nearly one-quarter of gross household earnings, leaving families stretched thin.

Among California's least affordable counties

Calaveras ranks in California's bottom third for affordability with a 24.3% rent-to-income ratio, significantly above the state average of 22.4%. The median rent of $1,615 approaches the state median, yet lower median income ($79,877) creates an affordability squeeze for working families.

Calaveras rents climb the foothill ladder

Calaveras's $1,615 median rent runs $235 higher than Amador's $1,380 and $476 higher than Colusa's $1,139, yet with lower income than Amador. The rent-to-income ratio of 24.3% ranks worse than every mountain neighbor except Butte, signaling a regional affordability trouble spot.

Housing dominates Calaveras budgets

Renters pay $1,615 monthly and owners pay $1,590—combined housing costs consume roughly 49% of a $79,877 annual income. This leaves families competing for every dollar in their remaining 51% of earnings, with little cushion for medical emergencies or job loss.

Calaveras best for higher earners

If you earn $90,000+ and seek Sierra foothills charm, Calaveras's $441,800 homes and outdoor recreation justify the rent-to-income squeeze. For those earning under $80,000, compare Amador or Colusa for meaningfully lower housing burdens on similar salaries.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calaveras County

via IncomeByCounty

Calaveras inches above national income

Calaveras County's median household income of $79,877 exceeds the US median of $74,755 by 7%, reflecting solid middle-class earnings in this Gold Country community. The county supports a mix of retirees, agricultural workers, and recreational tourism employees.

Below California's income benchmark

At $79,877, Calaveras' median household income falls about 8% short of California's $87,001 state average. The county's per capita income of $41,078 trails the state's $43,669, indicating less concentrated wealth.

Similar foothills income profile

Calaveras' $79,877 median income closely resembles neighboring Amador County's $81,526, both small Sierra foothill communities with comparable economic structures. Together they represent the stable middle-income tier of rural California.

Housing costs moderately affordable

Calaveras' 24.3% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $441,800 require substantial household commitment, pushing housing affordability to the upper range. Residents allocate roughly a quarter of income to housing, similar to struggling rural counties.

Build stability in Gold Country

Calaveras households averaging $79,877 can establish financial stability through disciplined saving and strategic retirement contributions despite moderate housing costs. Focus on debt reduction and emergency funds before exploring investment diversification.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calaveras County

via HealthByCounty

Calaveras exceeds national average

Calaveras County residents live an average of 78.8 years, surpassing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.7 years and slightly above California's 78.5 state average. A 17.4% poor/fair health rate is better than the national average of 18%, indicating solid health outcomes for a rural county. Calaveras punches above its weight for a small, mountain-based community.

Slightly above state baseline

With a 78.8-year life expectancy, Calaveras edges above California's state average of 78.5 years, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its 17.4% poor/fair health rate is below the state median, signaling relatively good health outcomes. Calaveras demonstrates that rural counties can achieve health parity with the state average.

Healthier than immediate peers

Calaveras' 78.8-year life expectancy outpaces Amador (78.5 years) and matches the Sierra Nevada regional pattern, while its 17.4% poor/fair health rate is better than Amador (16.3%) and Colusa (24.0%). The county's mountain setting offers some health advantages—outdoor recreation and community cohesion—despite limited primary care. Calaveras competes favorably with comparable rural regions.

Thin primary care, sparse mental health

Calaveras has only 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among California's sparsest—forcing patients to travel for routine care. Mental health providers are also limited at 232 per 100,000, leaving gaps in behavioral health access. The 6.9% uninsured rate slightly exceeds California's 7.2% average, adding complexity to healthcare access.

Secure coverage for Calaveras

Nearly 1 in 14 Calaveras residents lacks health insurance; year-round enrollment through Covered California and Medi-Cal can close this gap. Visit coveredca.com or contact Calaveras County's Human Services Agency for enrollment assistance. Even rural residents can access comprehensive coverage with the right support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calaveras County

via RiskByCounty

Calaveras risk exceeds typical U.S. levels

Calaveras County's composite risk score of 86.61 ranks above the national average, reflecting its exposure to significant natural hazards. The relatively moderate rating masks concentrated threats from wildfire and earthquake that demand serious preparation.

Slightly below California's average exposure

Calaveras's score of 86.61 sits just beneath California's state average of 88.72, placing it in the moderate-risk band statewide. This positioning reflects the Sierra foothills' typical hazard profile—high wildfire risk tempered by lower tornado exposure.

Moderate risk amid variable regional landscape

Calaveras (86.61) faces higher risk than Amador (79.20) but lower than Butte (93.92), positioning it in the middle of the Sierra Nevada counties. Alpine's exceptional safety (10.56) remains a geographic outlier in the eastern region.

Wildfire and earthquake threaten most residents

Wildfire risk reaches 99.46 in Calaveras County, among the state's highest, while earthquake risk of 76.75 presents secondary but serious concern. Flood risk (77.58) rounds out the significant hazard trio requiring homeowner preparedness.

Secure wildfire and earthquake coverage first

Calaveras homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance and separate wildfire coverage above all other policies. Flood insurance should also be considered in areas near rivers and creeks, as the county's topography channels water during heavy rain events.

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.