CountyScore

Contra Costa County

California · CA

#53 in California
53.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa matches the national average

Contra Costa County scores 50.1, virtually identical to the national median of 50.0, placing it squarely at the 50th percentile. This major Bay Area county sits at the midpoint of American livability—neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by composite measures. The score reflects a region of real strengths offset by substantial challenges.

Below California's average county profile

At 50.1, Contra Costa falls notably below California's 61.3 state average, ranking in the lower half of the state's 58 counties. Despite being a major suburban center with 1.1+ million residents, the county underperforms most California peers on composite livability. This gap primarily reflects housing affordability pressures that outweigh other advantages.

Strong incomes and reasonable tax rates

Contra Costa boasts a median household income of $125,727 with an income score of 65.4, competitive with coastal Bay Area peers. The tax score of 78.9 (0.831% effective rate) provides modest relief. These factors create solid purchasing power for professional households and dual-income families.

Severe housing affordability crisis

With a cost score of just 24.6, Contra Costa faces a critical affordability challenge: median homes at $830,800 and rent at $2,322 monthly consume massive percentages of household income. Even high-earning families struggle with housing costs relative to income. Missing data on safety, health, and schools may further explain the livability shortfall.

For high-income households near Silicon Valley

Contra Costa County suits affluent professionals and established families earning $125,000+ who can absorb housing costs for Bay Area proximity. The county offers urban infrastructure and professional opportunity at the price of substantial housing expenses. Best matched with dual-income tech, finance, or professional households prioritizing location over affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.9Cost24.6SafetyComing SoonHealth80.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome65.4Risk0.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠24.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼65.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.5
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 Contra Costa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Willacy County
Texas
53.5
Median income: $45,645
Ocean County
New Jersey
53.4
Median income: $86,411
Onondaga County
New York
53.6
Median income: $74,740
Alameda County
California
53.3
Median income: $126,240
San Francisco County
California
53.3
Median income: $141,446

Deep Dives

Contra Costa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Contra Costa County

via TaxByCounty

Contra Costa taxes rank among nation's highest

Contra Costa County's effective tax rate of 0.831% is more than three times the national median of 0.25%, placing it in the 90th percentile nationwide. The East Bay region shoulders some of America's heaviest property tax burdens.

Highest rate among all profiled counties

Contra Costa's 0.831% rate is the highest in this group and among the upper tier statewide, exceeding California's average of 0.714% by 16%. With median taxes of $6,903, residents pay 71% more than the state median of $4,045.

Outpaced only by Alameda in region

Contra Costa's 0.831% rate exceeds Alameda (0.762%), making it the highest-taxed county in the Bay Area. Both counties reflect expensive real estate values and extensive local services.

Median home costs $6,903 yearly tax

A typical Contra Costa County property valued at $830,800 generates approximately $6,903 in annual property taxes. With mortgage considerations, total liability climbs to $7,538, among the highest burdens in California.

High-value homes often face overassessment

Contra Costa County homeowners with high-value properties should carefully review their assessments—overvaluation is common in expensive markets. Filing an appeal could save thousands annually and is worth the modest effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Contra Costa County

via CostByCounty

Contra Costa matches national rent burden

Contra Costa County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% aligns precisely with national affordability norms, making it a statistical twin to the broader U.S. housing crisis. With median income of $125,727—68% higher than the national median—residents enjoy higher absolute earning power despite dedicating nearly one-quarter of earnings to rent.

Balanced affordability for the Bay Area

Contra Costa's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio sits marginally below California's state average of 22.4%, positioning it in the state's more affordable half. The $2,322 median rent tops Alameda by just $4 yet generates nearly identical rental burdens across both East Bay powerhouses.

East Bay parity, with subtle advantages

Contra Costa's $2,322 rent and 22.2% burden match Alameda's metrics ($2,318 and 22.0%) almost exactly, while homeownership costs of $2,675 run $224 cheaper than Alameda's $2,899. Both counties offer comparable affordability for high-income households seeking Bay Area proximity.

High earners, high housing costs

Renters pay $2,322 monthly and owners invest $2,675 toward mortgages—combined housing costs consume roughly 44% of a $125,727 income. This leaves $7,000+ monthly for all other living expenses, a luxury unavailable to lower-income California counties.

Contra Costa for the high-income professional

If you earn $120,000+ and work in the Bay Area, Contra Costa delivers comparable affordability to Alameda with marginally lower ownership costs and access to I-680 job corridors. For those earning under $100,000, consider the Sierra foothills or Central Valley; Contra Costa's $830,800 median home price demands substantial financial resources.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Contra Costa County

via IncomeByCounty

Contra Costa dominates national income

Contra Costa County's median household income of $125,727 towers 68% above the national median of $74,755, ranking among America's wealthiest counties. The county's proximity to Silicon Valley and robust financial services sector drive exceptional household earnings.

California's income elite

Contra Costa's $125,727 median household income exceeds California's state average of $87,001 by nearly $39,000 per household. The county's per capita income of $61,727 dramatically outperforms the state's $43,669 average.

Nearly ties Alameda for regional lead

Contra Costa's median income of $125,727 nearly matches Alameda County's $126,240, positioning both as Bay Area economic anchors. These two counties substantially outpace all other profiled regions.

High income, even higher housing costs

Despite $125,727 median income, Contra Costa's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $830,800 create serious affordability strain. Even wealthy households here dedicate substantial income shares to housing.

Advanced wealth strategies available

With household incomes averaging $125,727, Contra Costa residents can pursue sophisticated investment strategies including real estate diversification, retirement optimization, and tax-advantaged accounts. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize wealth accumulation despite elevated housing costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Contra Costa County

via HealthByCounty

Contra Costa's health shines

Residents of Contra Costa County live an average of 81.2 years, nearly 5 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years and well above California's 78.5 state average. Only 15.5% report poor or fair health, significantly below the national rate of 18%, marking Contra Costa as one of California's healthiest regions. These metrics reflect strong economic resources and healthcare infrastructure in the Bay Area.

Top-tier health outcomes statewide

At 81.2 years, Contra Costa's life expectancy ranks in California's top tier, trailing only Alameda (82.0 years) among major counties. Its 15.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's best, placing Contra Costa solidly in the healthiest quintile of the state's 58 counties. The county consistently outperforms state averages on longevity and health indicators.

Bay Area powerhouse

Contra Costa's 81.2-year life expectancy is the second-best regionally, just behind Alameda (82.0 years), and far surpasses inland rivals like Amador (78.5) and Calaveras (78.8). Its 15.5% poor/fair health rate is nearly tied with Alameda and Colusa as among the state's lowest. Contra Costa demonstrates the health advantage of dense urban infrastructure and affluent communities.

Strong access, low uninsurance

Just 5.2% of Contra Costa residents lack health insurance—below both California's 7.2% state average and neighboring Alameda's 4.5%—giving most residents access to care. The county provides 101 primary care providers per 100,000 and 411 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting robust preventive and behavioral health services. High provider density and coverage rates enable early intervention and continuity of care.

Maintain your coverage advantage

With 94.8% of Contra Costa residents insured, the county has nearly achieved universal coverage—an achievement worth protecting. Use coveredca.com or medi-cal.ca.gov to renew or switch plans during open enrollment or when life changes occur. Year-round support is available through Contra Costa's Department of Health Services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Contra Costa County

via RiskByCounty

Contra Costa ranks among nation's riskiest

Contra Costa County's composite risk score of 99.49 places it in the very high category—among the most hazard-exposed counties in the United States. This extreme rating reflects the county's position on the San Andreas Fault system and proximity to urban flood hazards.

Nearly tied with Alameda as California's riskiest

Contra Costa's score of 99.49 nearly matches Alameda County (99.78) and dramatically exceeds California's state average of 88.72. These two Bay Area counties form the state's highest-risk tier, separated from all others by their catastrophic earthquake and flood exposure.

Extremely high risk shared with Alameda

Contra Costa (99.49) and Alameda (99.78) dominate the regional risk landscape, facing nearly identical hazard profiles. Both counties' proximity to the San Francisco Bay and major fault lines create this exceptional vulnerability, far exceeding inland neighbors like Amador (79.20).

Earthquake and flood define existential risks

Earthquake risk scores 99.75 in Contra Costa County, while flood risk reaches 99.49—nearly identical peaks reflecting Bay Area geographic reality. Wildfire risk (97.58) completes the triumvirate of severe hazards requiring comprehensive household preparedness.

Triple coverage critical for Bay Area safety

Contra Costa residents must obtain earthquake insurance, flood insurance, and wildfire coverage—none covered by standard homeowners policies. These three protections are non-negotiable investments given the county's extreme exposure across all major natural disaster types.

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.