CountyScore

Columbia County

Washington · WA

#4 in Washington
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Columbia County, Washington

Columbia County Scores Well Nationally

Columbia County scores 71.6 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 43% of U.S. counties. The score reflects particularly strong performance in taxes and housing affordability.

Fourth-Best County in Washington

With a composite score of 71.6, Columbia County ranks above Washington's state average of 68.1, positioning it among the state's most livable communities. The county demonstrates consistent strength across its measured dimensions.

Excellent Value in Taxes and Housing

Columbia County offers a Tax Score of 77.9 (effective rate 0.865%) and a Cost Score of 77.2, with median rent at $944 per month and median home values at $256,100—the lowest in this group. These affordability strengths create genuine value for budget-conscious residents.

Income Opportunities Are Limited

The county's Income Score of 30.1 reflects a median household income of $71,528, indicating fewer high-wage opportunities relative to other counties in this comparison. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality remain unavailable.

Ideal for Penny-Pinching Families

Columbia County suits retirees, remote workers, and families who prioritize extremely low housing costs and taxes over local job markets and high incomes. The county offers the best combination of affordability and tax efficiency in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.9Cost77.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.1Risk91.5WaterComing Soon
🏛77.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.5
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 Columbia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gunnison County
Colorado
73.5
Median income: $77,358
Towns County
Georgia
73.5
Median income: $58,400
Latah County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,179
Payette County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,723
Sullivan County
Indiana
73.5
Median income: $54,985

Deep Dives

Columbia County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Columbia County

via TaxByCounty

Columbia has state's highest tax rate

Columbia County's effective tax rate of 0.865% exceeds both the national median (0.761%) and Washington's average (0.761%), placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,215 on homes valued at $256,100 reflects the county's lower home values despite its high rate.

Highest rate across all Washington

Columbia County ranks 1st among Washington's 39 counties for effective tax rate at 0.865%, the highest in the state and well above the state average of 0.761%. At $2,215 in median property tax, the county remains below the state median of $3,028 due to lower home values.

Tops all regional competitors

Columbia's 0.865% rate is the highest among all examined counties, exceeding Adams (0.837%), Clark (0.836%), and all others in eastern Washington. This distinction reflects the county's unique fiscal structure and represents a significant tax burden for residents.

$2,215 on median-priced property

A typical Columbia County home valued at $256,100 incurs an annual property tax of $2,215, the second-lowest in absolute dollars but the highest as a percentage of home value. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,154 yearly, while those without pay $2,312.

High rate makes review essential

With Washington's highest effective tax rate, Columbia County homeowners should carefully review their assessments for accuracy. Even modest overassessments compound significantly when applied to this elevated rate, making appeals particularly valuable.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Columbia County

via CostByCounty

Columbia County delivers top-tier affordability

Columbia County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, well below the national average and Washington's 18.8% state benchmark. With median rent at just $944 and median household income of $71,528, Columbia offers exceptional housing value.

Washington's most affordable rental market

Columbia County boasts the best rent-to-income ratio in this sample at 15.8%, beating even Adams County's strong 16.6%. Its $944 median rent ranks lowest among peers, making it the state's most accessible housing market.

Undercuts all peer counties on rental costs

Columbia County's $944 rent runs $43 below Adams County ($901) and $50 less than Asotin ($994), delivering unmatched value. At $256,100 median home value, Columbia also prices below most neighbors, offering dual affordability across tenures.

Most balanced housing burden in sample

Columbia renters spend 15.8% of income on housing while homeowners allocate 15.6%—nearly identical and the most balanced ratio in this analysis. This parity reflects a stable, genuinely affordable market where both renters and buyers find reasonable pathways.

Columbia County: the affordability destination

If housing costs drive your relocation decision, Columbia County stands unmatched in this sample for both rental and ownership value. Compare these numbers against your current county—you may find Columbia offers the affordability and stability relocating households seek.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Columbia County

via IncomeByCounty

Columbia County modestly exceeds national average

At $71,528, Columbia County's median household income tops the national median of $74,755 by approximately 4.5%, reflecting stable middle-income status. Per capita income of $42,143 also outperforms national averages, indicating broad-based earning opportunity.

Mid-tier Washington county for household earnings

Columbia County's median household income of $71,528 falls $4,835 short of the Washington state average of $76,363, positioning it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $42,143 exceeds the state average by $1,515, suggesting concentrated pockets of higher earners.

Outearning Adams, lagging more connected regions

Columbia County's $71,528 exceeds Adams County by $4,065 but trails Benton County by $15,788 and Chelan County by $6,778. The rural Palouse community benefits from agricultural and government employment but lacks the economic diversification of larger regional centers.

Most affordable rents among peer counties

Columbia County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.8%, well below affordability concerns, and median home value of $256,100 remains the most accessible among comparison counties. This combination provides residents maximum breathing room for savings and financial planning.

Maximizing affordability advantage for savings

Columbia County's exceptionally low housing-cost burden creates prime opportunity to fund retirement accounts and build emergency reserves. Direct the housing savings into automatic IRA contributions, education funds, or investment accounts to accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Columbia County

via HealthByCounty

Columbia County faces health challenges

At 76.6 years, Columbia County residents live 1.7 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. The 17.5% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national 18%, but the lower life expectancy signals underlying health pressures that merit attention.

Among Washington's lower-performing counties

Columbia County's 76.6-year life expectancy ranks 1.5 years below Washington's 78.1-year state average. The county faces longevity challenges that place it among the state's more health-challenged communities.

Struggles on state-level health metrics

Columbia County's 76.6-year life expectancy is lower than most comparison counties, ranking only slightly above Cowlitz County (75.1 years). With 74 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Columbia has adequate but not exceptional provider capacity compared to Chelan County (111 per 100K).

Moderate coverage with adequate provider access

Columbia County's 7.6% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 9.0%, meaning most residents have health coverage. With 74 primary care providers and 345 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county provides baseline access to both routine and behavioral health services.

Secure coverage to support your health

Columbia County's below-average uninsured rate shows most residents have coverage, but gaps remain. If you're uninsured or underinsured, explore plans on Healthcare.gov to access the county's primary care providers and support better health outcomes for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Columbia County

via RiskByCounty

Columbia County ranks among safest nationwide

Columbia County's composite risk score of 8.56 places it in the very low risk category, making it one of the safest counties in the entire nation. Residents experience minimal exposure to natural disasters compared to most American communities.

Washington's second-safest county

Columbia County's score of 8.56 ranks it as nearly the safest county in Washington, second only to Asotin County (17.91) and far below the state average of 70.01. The county's remote location and terrain provide exceptional protection from major natural hazards.

Safest county in the region

Columbia County (8.56) faces substantially lower risk than all neighboring counties, including Asotin (17.91) and Adams (23.22). The county's geographic isolation in the Blue Mountains creates an exceptionally safe natural hazard environment.

Wildfire is the only significant concern

Wildfire risk reaches 73.35 in Columbia County, representing the sole natural hazard of meaningful concern despite the county's overall very low composite score. Flood (30.66), earthquake (33.97), and tornado (3.21) risks all remain minimal.

Wildfire coverage provides peace of mind

Columbia County residents should add wildfire protection to their homeowners policies as a practical precaution, even though overall disaster risk is exceptionally low. This modest investment provides protection against the county's one meaningful natural hazard threat.

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.