CountyScore

Chelan County

Washington · WA

#22 in Washington
64.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Chelan County, Washington

Chelan County Scores Above National Median

Chelan County scores 69.3 on the CountyScore composite index, clearly exceeding the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. The score reflects competitive tax rates and moderate housing costs despite scenic mountain surroundings.

Above-Average Performance in Washington

With a composite score of 69.3, Chelan County exceeds Washington's state average of 68.1, positioning it among the state's more livable communities. The county benefits from strong tax management and reasonable cost of living.

Exceptional Tax Rates and Reasonable Housing

Chelan County features the lowest Tax Score in this group at 82.3, with an effective tax rate of just 0.711%, along with a Cost Score of 68.2 and median rent of $1,182 per month. These tax advantages provide meaningful financial relief for residents.

Higher Home Costs and Modest Wages

Median home values in Chelan County reach $454,900—among the highest in this comparison—while the Income Score of 34.5 reflects a median household income of $78,306. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors remain incomplete.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Mountain Enthusiasts

Chelan County appeals to affluent retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking mountain scenery combined with exceptional tax benefits. The county rewards those who value low taxes and lifestyle amenities over the lowest possible housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost68.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.5Risk9.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.1
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 Chelan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Macon County
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Median income: $37,177
Davis County
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Median income: $79,505
Saline County
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Median income: $63,316

Deep Dives

Chelan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chelan County

via TaxByCounty

Chelan has one of state's lowest rates

Chelan County's effective tax rate of 0.711% sits below both the national median (0.761%) and Washington's state average (0.761%), landing it in the 40th percentile nationally. Despite this lower rate, the median property tax of $3,235 reflects the county's higher home values at $454,900.

Lowest rate among compared counties

Chelan County ranks 2nd in Washington for the lowest effective tax rate at 0.711%, well below the state average of 0.761%. This favorable rate makes Chelan attractive for property owners, though home prices are significantly higher here.

Chelan's low rate stands out regionally

At 0.711%, Chelan's effective rate beats all neighboring counties examined, including Benton (0.788%) and Clallam (0.742%). This advantage reflects the county's property tax structure and provides meaningful relief for buyers in the Wenatchee area.

$3,235 taxes on pricier homes here

Chelan County's median home value of $454,900 is among the highest in the region, resulting in a median annual property tax of $3,235. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,268 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $3,190.

Even low rates warrant verification

Chelan County's favorable tax rate is a competitive advantage, but homeowners should still verify their assessments are accurate. If your home is worth less than its assessed value, an appeal could provide additional tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chelan County

via CostByCounty

Chelan County holds its own nationally

Chelan County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Washington's state average and remains competitive with national benchmarks. At $1,182 monthly rent and $78,306 median household income, Chelan residents maintain solid affordability despite living in a scenic mountain region.

Mid-range affordability among Washington counties

Chelan County ranks in the middle of Washington's affordability spectrum with an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio, marginally better than the state's 18.8% average. Its median rent of $1,182 runs just $20 below state average, reflecting a balanced market.

Pricier rents, pricier homes than most peers

Chelan County's $1,182 rent exceeds Asotin ($994) and Adams ($901) but trails Benton ($1,256). However, Chelan's median home value of $454,900 towers over all nearby counties, reflecting mountain real estate premiums.

Homeownership costs nearly match rent burden

Renters allocate 18.1% of income to housing while homeowners spend 18.8%—remarkably close and suggesting balanced market pressures. At $78,306 median household income, Chelan residents face moderate affordability constraints across both rental and ownership sectors.

Chelan appeals to those valuing lifestyle

Chelan County's higher home values and rents reflect its desirable mountain location and recreational amenities. If you're relocating for quality of life and can afford above-average housing costs, Chelan's market warrants comparison against your current region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chelan County

via IncomeByCounty

Chelan County exceeds national income baseline

Chelan County's median household income of $78,306 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 4.8%, reflecting solid earning power in this mountain community. Per capita income of $42,092 also surpasses national averages, showing broad economic strength across the population.

Above-average earnings for mountain region

At $78,306, Chelan County's median household income exceeds the Washington state average of $76,363 by nearly $2,000. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide, driven by tourism, outdoor recreation, and diversified local employment.

Outearning rural peers despite high housing costs

Chelan County's $78,306 median income falls $9,010 short of Benton County but exceeds Asotin County's $69,107 by $9,199. The county balances strong tourism and recreation economies against higher cost-of-living pressures from mountain-valley real estate demand.

Income stretched by elevated property values

With a median home value of $454,900—the highest among these counties—Chelan's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio signals tightening affordability. While still below the 30% danger threshold, residents must carefully budget as property costs continue rising with tourism and vacation home demand.

Balancing lifestyle and long-term financial goals

Chelan County's moderate-to-high incomes support wealth-building, but rising housing costs require intentional planning. Prioritize down payment savings, explore first-time homebuyer programs, and diversify income through seasonal employment opportunities to offset housing market pressures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chelan County

via HealthByCounty

Chelan County outlives U.S. average

At 79.3 years, Chelan County residents live 1.0 year longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years—among the nation's better life expectancies. The 17.5% poor/fair health rate is also below the national average of 18%, indicating strong overall population health.

Washington's top county for longevity

At 79.3 years, Chelan County leads Washington's 78.1-year state average by 1.2 years, making it the standout performer among comparison counties. This longevity advantage reflects better preventive care engagement and healthier lifestyle patterns in the community.

Significantly healthier than regional peers

Chelan County's 79.3-year life expectancy outpaces Adams County (77.0 years), Asotin County (76.7 years), and Benton County (77.8 years) by substantial margins. With 111 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among comparison counties—Chelan residents enjoy exceptional access to preventive care.

Strong access despite moderate uninsured rates

Chelan County's 12.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 9.0%, with more than 1 in 8 residents lacking health coverage. However, 111 primary care providers and 593 mental health providers per 100,000 residents represent the county's strongest healthcare infrastructure, enabling robust care delivery even as insurance enrollment needs attention.

Bridge the coverage gap in Chelan

Despite Chelan's excellent healthcare infrastructure, 12.8% of residents remain uninsured—above state average. Explore plans on Healthcare.gov or contact local enrollment assistance to secure coverage and maximize use of the county's outstanding primary and mental health provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chelan County

via RiskByCounty

Chelan County faces high disaster exposure

Chelan County's composite risk score of 90.87 places it in the relatively moderate risk category, significantly above the national average. This central Washington county experiences serious natural hazard threats that demand active preparedness.

Among Washington's most hazardous counties

Chelan County ranks second-highest in Washington with a composite score of 90.87, exceeding the state average of 70.01 by 30%. Only Clark County (92.24) faces greater overall disaster risk in the state.

Highest risk in the central region

Chelan County (90.87) faces more risk than nearby Adams County (23.22) and Asotin County (17.91), but matches the hazard exposure of other central and eastern Washington counties. Its mountain terrain and position relative to earthquake zones create a particularly dangerous natural environment.

Extreme wildfire and earthquake hazards

Chelan County experiences the state's highest wildfire risk at 99.55 and severe earthquake risk at 88.77, combining to create exceptional hazard exposure. Flood risk (91.25) represents a secondary but still serious concern, while tornado risk remains relatively low at 9.26.

Earthquake and wildfire coverage non-negotiable

Chelan County residents must carry both earthquake insurance and wildfire protection given the county's extreme scores in these categories. These specialized coverages fall outside standard homeowners policies and require separate policies or substantial endorsements to ensure your home is protected.

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.