CountyScore

Chaffee County

Colorado · CO

#40 in Colorado
70.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Chaffee County, Colorado

Chaffee Scores Well Above National Median

Chaffee County's composite score of 71.5 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 43% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in tax and cost factors, though the county benefits from limited data on safety, health, and schools that may provide a fuller picture when available.

Slightly Below Colorado's Average Performance

At 71.5, Chaffee falls just under Colorado's state average composite score of 71.8, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 64 counties. The county performs competitively on tax burden but lags on income levels compared to the statewide profile.

Tax Efficiency and Moderate Housing Costs

Chaffee County excels with a tax score of 94.5—among the lowest tax burdens in the nation with an effective rate of just 0.278%. Housing remains moderately priced relative to income, with a median home value of $598,500 and rent at $1,514/month, making it accessible for middle-class households seeking mountain living.

Income Gaps and Limited Data

The county's income score of 29.7 is a notable weakness, with a median household income of $70,909 that trails many peers. Safety, health, school quality, and water data remain unavailable, limiting a complete assessment of livability factors that matter most to families and retirees.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Mountain Seekers

Chaffee County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and outdoor lifestyle over high income potential or comprehensive public services data. This is a solid choice for remote workers and self-employed professionals who value affordability and fiscal efficiency in a mountain setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax94.5Cost64.7SafetyComing SoonHealth76.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk48.9WaterComing Soon
🏛94.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.9
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 Chaffee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Covington County
Alabama
70.8
Median income: $50,886
Conway County
Arkansas
70.8
Median income: $51,212
Union County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $65,697
Warren County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $46,776
Gibson County
Indiana
70.8
Median income: $67,763

Deep Dives

Chaffee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chaffee County

via TaxByCounty

Chaffee taxes rank low nationally

At 0.278%, Chaffee County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.370%, placing it in roughly the 25th percentile nationwide. Homeowners here pay $1,664 annually on a median home valued at $598,500—far less than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Below-average for Colorado

Chaffee's 0.278% rate ranks among Colorado's lower counties, below the state average of 0.393%. The county's median tax of $1,664 runs higher than the state average of $1,560, reflecting its higher median home values rather than its tax rate.

Mountain county with moderate burden

Chaffee's 0.278% rate compares favorably to nearby Clear Creek County (0.377%) and Custer County (0.362%). Its mountain-area peers generally carry similar or higher effective rates, making Chaffee relatively attractive for property tax purposes.

Median home costs $1,664 yearly

On Chaffee's $598,500 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $1,664. Mortgage holders pay slightly more ($1,717) due to escrow, while those without mortgages pay $1,597.

Consider an assessment appeal

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to market value and can appeal their valuations to save hundreds annually. If you believe your home is assessed too high, your county assessor's office can walk you through the process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chaffee County

via CostByCounty

Chaffee rents outpace national affordability

Chaffee County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.6% exceeds the national average, meaning renters here dedicate roughly one-quarter of their income to housing. This compares unfavorably to the typical American renter, who spends a smaller share of earnings on monthly rent.

Above Colorado's housing cost average

At 25.6%, Chaffee's rent-to-income ratio ranks above Colorado's state average of 20.2%, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. The median rent of $1,514 is also $261 higher than Colorado's median, intensifying affordability pressure.

Pricier than nearby mountain counties

Chaffee's $1,514 median rent significantly exceeds neighboring Clear Creek County's $1,230 and Custer County's $1,021. Despite similar mountain-town amenities, Chaffee renters pay 48% more than Custer County residents for comparable housing.

Housing claims one-quarter of income

Chaffee renters spend 25.6% of the county's $70,909 median household income on rent, while homeowners dedicate 17.6% to mortgage payments. Together, housing absorbs nearly half of household budgets before taxes, utilities, and other essentials.

Considering a move to Chaffee?

If you're relocating to this mountain community, budget for rent above state average—but know that homeownership at $598,500 median value remains achievable for higher earners. Compare Chaffee's lifestyle benefits against more affordable neighboring counties like Custer before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chaffee County

via IncomeByCounty

Chaffee trails national income slightly

Chaffee County's median household income of $70,909 falls about $3,846 below the U.S. median of $74,755. While the county doesn't rank among the wealthiest nationally, its income level places it solidly in the middle-upper range for rural Colorado communities.

Mid-pack in Colorado's income ladder

At $70,909, Chaffee's median household income runs slightly below Colorado's state average of $74,792. The county ranks in the middle tier among Colorado's 64 counties, reflecting its mix of tourism, outdoor recreation, and skilled trades employment.

Clear Creek and Custer outpace Chaffee

Neighboring Clear Creek County significantly outearns Chaffee at $96,667 median household income, while nearby Custer County edges ahead at $72,700. Chaffee's income sits between these mountain neighbors, likely reflecting differences in mining heritage and current economic diversification.

Housing costs bite into Chaffee budgets

Chaffee residents spend 25.6% of median household income on rent—well above the 20% affordability threshold and higher than most Colorado counties. With a median home value of $598,500, homeownership requires substantial income, making housing one of the county's chief affordability challenges.

Strategic saving bridges Chaffee's income gap

Chaffee households earning $70,909 can maximize retirement contributions and build emergency savings to weather Colorado's high housing costs. Even modest investments in diversified funds or employer 401(k) matching can compound significantly over time, helping families reach wealth stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chaffee County

via HealthByCounty

Chaffee leads Colorado on longevity

At 81.0 years, Chaffee County residents live nearly 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. Just 15.3% report poor or fair health, well below national benchmarks, signaling a healthier-than-average population.

Colorado's healthiest mountain county

Chaffee ranks among Colorado's top performers for life expectancy, beating the state average of 78.2 years by 2.8 years. The county's low poor/fair health rate of 15.3% places it solidly ahead of state trends.

Mountain health advantage holds

Chaffee's 81.0-year life expectancy significantly exceeds nearby Custer County (79.2 years) and Delta County (76.0 years). The county also boasts robust mental health capacity at 330 providers per 100K residents, among the highest in the region.

Strong access meets high coverage

Only 9.9% of Chaffee residents lack health insurance, nearly matching Colorado's 9.7% average. The county maintains 95 primary care providers per 100K, ensuring most residents have nearby care options.

Keep momentum going with coverage

Nearly all Chaffee residents have health insurance, and you can too. Explore your options at Colorado's health marketplace today to lock in coverage and support these strong health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chaffee County

via RiskByCounty

Chaffee's risk exceeds the national average

Chaffee County scores 51.11 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category but well above the nation's average. This means residents face a meaningful but manageable combination of natural hazards compared to typical American counties.

Above-average risk for Colorado

At 51.11, Chaffee's composite risk score significantly outpaces Colorado's state average of 40.67. The county ranks in the upper half of Colorado's 64 counties for disaster exposure.

Riskier than nearby mountain counties

Chaffee faces notably higher composite risk (51.11) compared to Clear Creek County (46.72) to the north and Custer County (3.91) to the south. The variation reflects Chaffee's particular vulnerability to flooding and wildfires.

Wildfire and flood dominate the threat picture

Chaffee's wildfire risk scores 71.69 and flood risk 64.69—both well above state averages. Tornado risk is minimal at 12.72, making flood and fire the two hazards requiring serious preparedness.

Prioritize flood and wildfire coverage now

Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage; securing a separate flood insurance policy is essential given your county's 64.69 flood risk score. Review your wildfire mitigation coverage and ensure your home meets current building codes in fire-prone zones.

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.