CountyScore

Carbon County

Utah · UT

#13 in Utah
73.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Carbon County, Utah

Carbon County well above national median

Carbon County's 73.8 score significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 45th percentile nationwide. This demonstrates solid livability foundations despite modest income levels.

Slightly above Utah's average

Carbon County ranks at 73.8, just above Utah's state average of 72.1, making it a respectable choice within the state. It holds its own among Utah's 29 counties.

Exceptional affordability and resilience

Carbon County's cost score of 81.8 reflects outstanding housing affordability: median rent is just $828/month and median home values are $200,700. Its risk score of 91.3 indicates strong resilience and low disaster exposure.

Income significantly lags

With an income score of just 18.4 and median household income of $53,673, Carbon County substantially underperforms state and national income levels. Health outcomes (65.4) also trail state averages.

Perfect for budget minimalists

Carbon County suits retirees, remote workers, and families willing to accept lower wages for dramatic cost savings. If you can live on modest income, exceptional affordability and resilience make this county compelling.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.2Cost81.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk91.3WaterComing Soon
🏛84.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.3
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 Carbon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Osceola County
Iowa
73.8
Median income: $69,138
Trego County
Kansas
73.8
Median income: $73,375
Caldwell County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $57,618
Clinton County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $42,168
Cumberland County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $39,662

Deep Dives

Carbon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carbon County

via TaxByCounty

Carbon County's highest effective tax rate

At 0.642%, Carbon's effective tax rate ranks among the nation's highest, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Despite this, the median annual tax of $1,288 remains below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Utah's second-highest county tax rate

Carbon ranks 2nd among Utah's 29 counties in effective tax rate at 0.642%—0.144% above the state average of 0.498%. Only Daggett County slightly exceeds Carbon, making this one of the state's steepest tax burdens.

Steeper taxes than surrounding counties

Carbon's 0.642% rate substantially exceeds Emery County (0.584%), Duchesne (0.635%), and Rich (0.512%), making it the region's most heavily taxed jurisdiction. Homeowners in neighboring counties pay noticeably less on comparable-priced properties.

Annual tax cost in Carbon County

The median Carbon County home valued at $200,700 carries an annual property tax of $1,288. At roughly $107 per month, Carbon homeowners pay more in taxes relative to their home's value than most Utah residents, despite lower absolute dollars.

Challenge assessments in high-tax county

Given Carbon's elevated tax rate, verifying accurate assessment is especially important for reducing your total burden. If your home was recently valued or appraised below the county's assessment, filing a free appeal could meaningfully lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carbon County

via CostByCounty

Carbon struggles against national averages

Carbon County's median household income of $53,673 falls sharply below the national median of $74,755—a $21,000 gap that strains affordability despite low absolute rents. Its 18.5% rent-to-income ratio, though manageable, signals economic headwinds that make housing costs more burdensome relative to local wages.

Utah's most challenged county reviewed

Carbon County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Utah's state average of 16.6%, and its $53,673 median income ranks lowest among the eight counties surveyed. This combination signals economic stress despite moderate absolute housing costs of $828 monthly rent.

Low rents mask income struggles

Carbon's $828 rent is the second-lowest regionally, but its median income of $53,673 is far below peers like Beaver ($85,603) and Box Elder ($77,865). This income deficit means even affordable rents consume a larger share of earnings, limiting financial flexibility.

Income constraints define affordability

Renters pay $828 monthly (18.5% of income) while homeowners pay $772 (14.4%), making ownership relatively more affordable—unusual among U.S. counties. However, the real issue is low median income of $53,673, which hampers both renters' and owners' financial security.

Carbon's low costs can't offset wage gap

While Carbon County offers the second-lowest rents in the region, prospective movers should consider its limited job market and lower wage base. Unless you have remote income or employment lined up locally, more affluent counties like Beaver or Box Elder offer better long-term financial security.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carbon County

via IncomeByCounty

Carbon County Trails National Income

Carbon County's median household income of $53,673 falls $21,082 short of the national median of $74,755. This represents a 28.2% gap, placing the county well below the American average.

Lowest Earners in Utah

Carbon County significantly underperforms Utah's state average median income of $80,176, trailing by $26,503. The county faces real income challenges compared to most other Utah counties.

Carbon Faces Steepest Income Gap

At $53,673, Carbon County's median income substantially lags neighboring Daggett ($58,750) and Emery ($69,956) counties. The county's economic situation differs markedly from surrounding areas.

Housing Costs Strain Budgets

Carbon County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% is elevated, meaning housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of median income. The median home value of $200,700 represents a significant commitment for lower-earning households.

Build Stability Through Small Steps

Carbon County residents benefit most from accessible financial tools like employer retirement plans and community investment programs. Consider speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor about budgeting strategies tailored to lower incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Carbon County

via HealthByCounty

Carbon County faces significant health crisis

Carbon County residents live just 72.8 years on average, a stark 6.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in five residents (20.6%) report poor or fair health, substantially exceeding the national rate of 15%.

Lowest life expectancy in Utah

Carbon County's 72.8-year life expectancy is the lowest in Utah, trailing the state average of 77.9 by more than 5 years. The 20.6% poor/fair health rate doubles down on a county health emergency.

Worst outcomes in its region

Carbon County's 72.8-year life expectancy is 7.5 years lower than Cache County and roughly 2 years below Emery County, the second-worst performer. This rural southeastern county faces compounding health disadvantages.

Reasonable coverage, stretched providers

Despite challenges, Carbon County's uninsured rate of 8.9% sits below the state average of 10.2%, showing decent coverage. Yet the county has only 39 primary care providers and 248 mental health providers per 100,000, making care access difficult for residents already in crisis.

Insurance is a lifeline here

Carbon County's health crisis makes insurance coverage critical—use healthcare.gov or Utah's marketplace to ensure you're protected. Contact your county health department for telehealth and community health resources that can bridge provider gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carbon County

via RiskByCounty

Carbon County ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 8.68, Carbon County sits far below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' rating. Your county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to typical American communities.

Well below Utah's average disaster risk

Carbon County's 8.68 score ranks significantly below Utah's state average of 36.19, placing it among the safest counties in the state. Only a handful of Utah counties face lower composite hazard exposure.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Carbon County's 8.68 score is lower than Emery, Daggett, and Duchesne counties in the immediate region. It represents one of eastern Utah's lowest-risk zones.

Wildfire and earthquake present modest threats

Wildfire risk is your primary concern at 66.83, while earthquake risk stands at 64.89. Flood and tornado risks are minimal, each scoring below 23.

Wildfire coverage offers the most value

While your overall risk is exceptionally low, wildfire insurance makes practical sense given your county's exposure level. Consider adding earthquake coverage as well for comprehensive protection at reasonable cost.

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.