CountyScore

Carson City

Nevada · NV

#13 in Nevada
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Carson City, Nevada

Carson City outpaces national median

Carson City's composite score of 65.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. This means the county offers above-average livability compared to most U.S. counties, driven by strong tax advantages and moderate housing costs.

Slightly below Nevada's typical county

Carson City ranks fourth among Nevada's eight profiled counties with a score of 65.1, just 4.4 points below the state average of 69.5. The county sits in the middle tier of Nevada's livability landscape, neither leading nor lagging significantly.

Tax burden and housing balance shine

Carson City excels with an exceptional tax score of 90.5, reflecting an effective rate of just 0.417%—among Nevada's lowest. Moderate housing affordability, with a median home value of $426,700 and rent at $1,172/month, rounds out the county's competitive advantages.

Income and risk need attention

Income levels lag significantly, with a score of just 30.3 and median household income of $71,809, below most peer counties. The risk score of 23.9 also signals vulnerabilities in environmental or economic resilience that deserve monitoring.

Best for tax-conscious, moderate-income residents

Carson City suits retirees, small-business owners, and families prioritizing low tax burdens and stable housing costs over maximum earning potential. The county offers comfortable livability for those seeking Nevada's financial advantages without seeking high-wage opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.5Cost67.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk23.9WaterComing Soon
🏛90.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.9
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 Carson City with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Lee County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $67,144

Deep Dives

Carson City across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carson City

via TaxByCounty

Carson City's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.417%, Carson City's effective tax rate sits well below the national median, placing the county in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax of $1,781 is 34% lower than the national median of $2,690, despite home values here being 51% higher than the national average.

Second-lowest rate in Nevada

Carson City's 0.417% effective rate is significantly below Nevada's state average of 0.525%, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in the state. Only a handful of Nevada counties tax property at lower rates.

More affordable than nearby Douglas

Carson City homeowners pay roughly $1,781 in median annual property tax, compared to $2,649 in neighboring Douglas County—a difference of $868 per year despite Douglas having higher home values. Clark County, home to Las Vegas, sits in the middle at $1,990 annually.

What you pay on a typical home

The median Carson City home valued at $426,700 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,781. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly less ($1,685), while those without pay slightly more ($1,971).

Many homeowners can appeal their assessment

If you believe your home is overassessed relative to recent sales, Nevada law allows you to file a property tax appeal. A successful challenge could lower your annual tax bill significantly—money worth recovering.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carson City

via CostByCounty

Carson City rents outpace national norms

At 19.6%, Carson City's rent-to-income ratio sits above the national average and exceeds Nevada's state median of 18.1%. The typical renter here spends nearly $1,172 monthly on housing while earning $71,809 annually—slightly below the national median household income of $74,755.

Middle of the pack in Nevada

Carson City ranks as a moderately affordable county within Nevada, with a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio that's neither the tightest nor loosest in the state. For renters, the median gross rent of $1,172 is $45 above Nevada's state average, positioning it as a cautious choice for budget-conscious movers.

Competing with Churchill and Douglas

Carson City's $1,172 rent falls between Churchill County ($1,203) and rural Eureka County ($940), reflecting its position as a mid-sized capital city. Home values at $426,700 are notably higher than Churchill's $298,000 but significantly lower than Douglas County's $587,400.

Housing consumes one-fifth of income

Renters in Carson City allocate about 19.6% of income to rent ($1,172/month), while homeowners pay 21% toward mortgages ($1,256/month). The median home value of $426,700 reflects a balanced market—more affordable than resort areas but pricier than rural Nevada counties.

Consider Carson City if you value stability

Carson City offers moderate housing costs and a stable income level, making it a reasonable choice for those priced out of Clark or Douglas counties. Compare your rent-to-income ratio: if you're currently paying more than 19.6% on housing, Carson City may provide meaningful relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carson City

via IncomeByCounty

Carson City Trails National Income Average

Carson City's median household income of $71,809 falls about 4% below the national median of $74,755, placing it below the midpoint of American counties. The gap narrows when comparing to Nevada's state average of $75,206, where Carson City ranks slightly lower by $3,397.

Middle-Tier Earner in Nevada

Among Nevada's 16 counties, Carson City ranks in the middle tier for household income, with strong performers like Douglas County ($88,018) earning notably more. Still, Carson City outpaces smaller rural counties, reflecting its status as the state capital and regional employment hub.

Competitive with Regional Peers

Carson City's $71,809 median household income closely mirrors Churchill County ($73,268) and slightly trails Clark County ($73,845), the state's largest metro area. These three counties form a stable income band, each offering different cost-of-living trade-offs and lifestyle choices.

Housing Costs Remain Manageable Here

At a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio, Carson City households spend roughly one-fifth of income on rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold and matching the state average. With a median home value of $426,700, homeownership is achievable but requires careful planning and down-payment savings.

Build Long-Term Wealth in Carson City

Carson City's stable income and reasonable housing costs create opportunity for wealth-building through homeownership and savings. Start with an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses, then explore first-time homebuyer programs to leverage your income into property equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Carson City

via HealthByCounty

Carson City's health lags behind America

At 73.4 years, Carson City residents live about 5.4 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years. One in five residents report being in poor or fair health, slightly above national rates. These figures suggest systemic health challenges that extend beyond individual lifestyle choices.

Below Nevada's average health outcomes

Carson City ranks below Nevada's state average life expectancy of 75.2 years, trailing by 1.8 years. The county's 20.3% poor/fair health rate sits above the state median, indicating Carson City residents face steeper health obstacles than typical Nevadans. These gaps signal an opportunity for targeted health interventions.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Carson City's 73.4-year life expectancy ranks among Nevada's lowest—Douglas County residents live nearly 6 years longer at 79.1 years. Even Churchill County and Elko County, smaller Nevada counties, show better health outcomes. This disparity underscores Carson City's distinct public health challenges.

Healthcare access gaps in Carson City

One in seven Carson City residents (14.2%) lack health insurance, above Nevada's 11.7% average. With 64 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county offers adequate access compared to rural peers, though mental health providers (308 per 100K) are notably concentrated. Residents still navigate insurance gaps that can delay preventive care.

Explore coverage options today

If you're among the 14.2% of uninsured Carson City residents, the Nevada Health Insurance Marketplace opens every fall. Eligible households may qualify for subsidies that dramatically reduce monthly premiums. Start your search at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carson City

via RiskByCounty

Carson City's disaster risk: above average

With a composite risk score of 76.14, Carson City faces notably higher natural disaster risk than the U.S. average of 50. The county's "Relatively Low" rating reflects Nevada's generally elevated hazard exposure, but residents here experience considerably more risk than typical Americans.

The riskiest county in Nevada

Carson City's score of 76.14 ranks it highest among Nevada's 16 counties—more than 60% above the state average of 46.25. This concentration of risk stems primarily from exceptional earthquake and wildfire hazards that define the region.

A hazard hotspot among peers

Compared to neighboring Douglas County (84.38) and Churchill County (47.26), Carson City occupies the middle ground for overall risk. However, Carson City's earthquake risk score of 96.63 matches Douglas County's and far exceeds Churchill's 91.32, making seismic activity the defining shared threat across this region.

Earthquakes and wildfires dominate

Earthquake risk reaches 96.63 here—among the highest in the nation—while wildfire risk scores 93.54, reflecting Carson City's position in Nevada's active seismic zone and proximity to fire-prone terrain. Flooding poses moderate concern at 46.06, but tornado risk remains negligible at 1.88.

Earthquake and wildfire coverage essential

Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake and wildfire damage, making separate policies critical for Carson City residents. With earthquake risk at 96.63 and wildfire risk at 93.54, securing both specialized coverages should be your top priority before disaster strikes.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.