CountyScore

Collier County

Florida · FL

#59 in Florida
59
County Score

County Report Card

About Collier County, Florida

Collier County ranks above national livability median

Collier County's composite score of 62.7 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 25%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The county's strength lies in income potential and tax management, though housing costs significantly offset these advantages. It represents a premium Florida market with trade-offs between economic opportunity and affordability.

Slightly underperforms Florida's state average

At 62.7, Collier County scores 6.7 points below Florida's average composite score of 69.4, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The county's premium market positioning explains the gap—higher incomes and low taxes are offset by elevated housing costs. Despite the below-average score, Collier attracts affluent residents seeking Florida's southwest coast lifestyle.

High incomes and exceptional tax efficiency

Collier County boasts an income score of 39.6 with a median household income of $86,173, reflecting strong economic activity and professional employment. The tax score of 83.7 and effective tax rate of 0.661% provide favorable tax treatment on those incomes. These dimensions make the county attractive to high-earning households seeking to preserve wealth.

Housing costs among Florida's highest

The cost score of 52.8 reflects Collier's premium real estate market, with a median home value of $486,800—nearly double the state average—and median rent of $1,752/month. Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable. Only affluent households or those with significant equity should prioritize Collier without additional research on these quality-of-life factors.

Premium choice for affluent retirees and executives

Collier County suits high-income retirees, executives, and affluent families willing to pay a premium for Florida's Gulf Coast lifestyle and robust local economy. The county's strong income potential and low tax burden appeal to wealth preservation, though housing costs remain a significant commitment. For those without substantial means, neighboring Clay or Duval counties offer better value propositions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost52.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.6Risk1.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠52.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.1
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 Collier County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
St. Lawrence County
New York
59
Median income: $61,900
York County
Pennsylvania
59
Median income: $82,238

Deep Dives

Collier County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Collier County

via TaxByCounty

Collier County's high values drive high taxes

Collier County's effective tax rate of 0.661% sits below the national median of 0.731%, but median home values of $486,800 mean residents pay $3,219 annually—significantly more than the national median property tax of $2,690. This affluent county ranks in the top 25% of U.S. counties by absolute tax dollars paid.

Expensive homes, above-average tax bills

While Collier County's 0.661% effective rate ranks below Florida's 0.731% average, the county's median home value of $486,800 is the highest among our eight counties. Annual property taxes here average $3,219, well above Florida's statewide median of $1,885.

Collier stands apart from regional peers

Collier County's median home value of $486,800 dwarfs neighboring DeSoto ($151,500) and Duval County ($274,900). With a 0.661% rate, Collier charges less per dollar of value than most peers, but the sheer home values result in the region's highest tax bills.

What $486,800 home costs annually

On Collier County's median home value of $486,800, you'll pay approximately $3,219 per year in property taxes. For those with mortgages, annual costs are about $3,150; without mortgages, they're approximately $3,306.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Many Florida homeowners are overassessed relative to market value, and Collier County residents can file an appeal with the Property Appraiser's office. The process is typically free and could lower your taxable assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Collier County

via CostByCounty

Collier's housing demands premium income levels

Collier County's 24.4% rent-to-income ratio pushes toward the ceiling of affordability, despite median household income of $86,173—15% above the national average. The county's median rent of $1,752 and median home value of $486,800 reflect premium coastal positioning that requires above-average earnings to access comfortably.

Collier ranks among Florida's priciest markets

At 24.4%, Collier's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing it among the state's least affordable counties. The $1,752 median rent runs $519 above the state average of $1,233, signaling Collier's status as a premium destination that commands above-average prices.

Collier commands significantly higher prices

Collier County's median home value of $486,800 towers over most neighbors: DeSoto County at $151,500, Dixie County at $96,900, and even Columbia County at $186,400. Renters face $1,752 monthly rents—the highest among comparable counties—reflecting the region's desirability and limited affordable stock.

Housing eats a larger slice of income here

Collier renters spend 24.4% of their $86,173 income on housing, while homeowners dedicate approximately 21.2% to monthly ownership costs on properties worth $486,800 median. These percentages leave less discretionary income than neighboring counties, requiring higher earnings to maintain comparable quality of life elsewhere.

Collier suits high-income professionals and retirees

Consider Collier if you're relocating with strong income or assets—the premium prices reflect desirable amenities, coastal access, and strong property values. For middle-income households, neighboring Clay or Columbia counties offer superior affordability without sacrificing Florida's lifestyle appeal.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Collier County

via IncomeByCounty

Collier County wealth clearly above average

Collier County's median household income of $86,173 beats the national median of $74,755 by $11,418—a 15% lead. Additionally, the per capita income of $59,973 ranks far above the typical American, signaling a prosperous county community.

Among Florida's wealthiest counties

At $86,173, Collier County ranks at the top of Florida's income ladder, exceeding the state average of $65,468 by over $20,000. This positions the county alongside Florida's most affluent regions, driven by tourism, real estate, and professional services.

Strong income advantage in Southwest Florida

Collier County's $86,173 income comfortably outpaces DeSoto County ($50,868) by roughly $35,000 annually. This significant disparity reflects Collier's role as Southwest Florida's economic anchor, attracting higher-wage employment and affluent retirees.

High housing costs offset strong incomes

Despite strong earnings, Collier County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% exceeds the 20% threshold, reflecting the county's status as an expensive housing market. The median home value of $486,800 demands careful financial planning, even for households in Collier's income bracket.

Leverage income for wealth diversification

High-earning Collier County households should look beyond primary residences to build multi-faceted wealth. Real estate investment, stock portfolios, and business ownership become realistic opportunities at this income level—each with potential for substantial long-term growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Collier County

via HealthByCounty

Collier achieves exceptional life expectancy

Collier County residents live an average of 84.0 years, a full 5.9 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.1 years—among the highest life expectancies in the nation. This remarkable achievement reflects strong healthcare access, affluent demographics, and healthy lifestyle patterns across the county.

Florida's longevity champion by far

Collier County's 84.0-year life expectancy far exceeds Florida's state average of 75.8 years, making it the clear longevity leader among these eight counties. Despite this exceptional longevity, 18.6% of residents lack health insurance—higher than the state average of 14.4%—revealing an access paradox.

Dramatically outpacing Southwest Florida

Collier County's 84.0-year life expectancy is a striking 7.4 years higher than DeSoto County (76.6), its closest neighbor in Southwest Florida. With 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Collier far exceeds rural neighboring counties and offers exceptional provider density.

Affluence masks uninsured population

Collier County's 18.6% uninsured rate—the highest among these eight counties—suggests that wealth does not guarantee universal coverage, with seasonal workers and service industry employees likely driving this gap. The county compensates with 82 primary care providers and 123 mental health providers per 100,000, among the best ratios statewide.

Don't let coverage gaps endanger you

Even in wealthy Collier County, nearly 1 in 5 residents go uninsured, risking catastrophic medical bills and delayed care. Reach out to a healthcare navigator at healthcare.gov to explore subsidized marketplace plans or community health center options suited to your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Collier County

via RiskByCounty

Collier ranks among nation's highest risks

Collier County's composite risk score of 98.92 places it in the top tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster vulnerability, earning a "Relatively High" rating. This near-perfect risk score reflects extreme exposure to hurricanes (99.75), flooding (98.25), and wildfire (96.44)—a triple threat unmatched in most American communities.

Florida's most hazardous county

At 98.92, Collier County significantly exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks among the state's highest-risk jurisdictions. The Gulf Coast location, combined with extensive low-lying areas and seasonal wildfire exposure, creates one of Florida's most multifaceted disaster vulnerability profiles.

Extreme risk even among Gulf neighbors

Collier County (98.92) surpasses nearby Citrus County (94.69) and Escambia County (95.10), making it the riskiest of Florida's major Gulf Coast counties. Its hurricane and flood scores exceed regional averages, reflecting both the open Gulf exposure and the county's dense network of vulnerable developments.

Hurricane and flood risk off the charts

Hurricane risk peaks at 99.75—the highest possible exposure level—while flood risk reaches 98.25, reflecting storm surge vulnerability and low topography throughout the county. Wildfire risk at 96.44 adds a third critical hazard during Florida's dry seasons, affecting both developed and natural areas.

Comprehensive insurance non-negotiable

With a 99.75 hurricane score, robust homeowners insurance covering wind, hail, and impact damage is essential; consider supplemental coverage options. Flood insurance is mandatory in most Collier neighborhoods due to high-risk zones, and residents should prioritize property elevation, impact-resistant construction, and defensible space against wildfire risk.

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.