CountyScore

Coos County

New Hampshire · NH

#3 in New Hampshire
59.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Coos County, New Hampshire

Coos slightly above national average

Coos County scores 59.1, roughly 18% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. The county performs better than most U.S. counties despite significant regional economic challenges.

Mid-tier performance for New Hampshire

Coos ranks fifth among ten New Hampshire counties with a 59.1 score, just slightly above the state average of 58.3. The county holds its own statewide despite the lowest income levels in the state.

Exceptional housing affordability

Coos excels at affordability, with a cost score of 78.9—the highest in the state—median home values of $169,600, and rents of just $843 monthly. For budget-conscious families, housing costs are among New Hampshire's most attractive.

Income and health need strengthening

Coos's income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,439—the state's lowest by far. Health outcomes (71.0) lag county peers, creating a livability profile dependent almost entirely on low cost of living.

Best for extreme budget-conscious residents

Coos County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers seeking minimal expenses, and families prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs above all else. It requires accepting lower local incomes and health infrastructure as trade-offs for exceptional affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax44Cost78.9SafetyComing SoonHealth71SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.5Risk27.2WaterComing Soon
🏛44
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.2
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 Coos County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Macon County
Illinois
59.2
Median income: $62,449
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583

Deep Dives

Coos County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Coos County

via TaxByCounty

Coos punches above its weight regionally

Coos County's effective tax rate of 2.070% ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, more than double the national median of 0.81%. The median tax bill of $3,511 exceeds the national median by 31%, despite lower home values.

Second-highest rate among New Hampshire counties

Coos County ranks second in effective tax rate statewide at 2.070%, trailing only Cheshire County's 2.320% and above the state average of 1.852%. Its median tax of $3,511 is the state's lowest, reflecting the county's significantly lower home values.

North Country's most expensive taxes

Coos County's 2.070% rate exceeds Carroll County's 1.056% dramatically, making it the region's highest. Grafton County to the west rates lower at 1.884%, positioning Coos as the North Country's tax leader.

On a $170,000 home: about $3,500

The typical Coos County home valued at $169,600 generates an estimated annual tax of $3,511. With a mortgage, that rises to $3,626; without one, it drops to $3,397.

Assessment challenges could ease burden

Coos County residents facing elevated tax rates relative to home values should consider formal assessment appeals with local assessors. Even modest downward adjustments can provide meaningful relief given the county's aggressive rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Coos County

via CostByCounty

Coos County offers exceptional housing value

Coos County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio and $843/month median rent represent some of the lowest housing costs in New England. However, the median income of $58,439 is significantly below the national median of $74,755, reflecting limited local earning opportunities that offset the affordable housing.

New Hampshire's most affordable county

Coos County ranks as the state's most affordable by rent-to-income ratio at 17.3%, and its median rent ($843/month) undercuts every other New Hampshire county by 30% or more. This affordability comes with a trade-off: median incomes are 20% below the state average.

Dramatically cheaper than Grafton to the south

Coos County's $843/month rent runs 35% below Grafton County's $1,292/month, and home values ($169,600 median) are half Grafton's $298,500. The income gap is telling: Grafton residents earn 44% more, suggesting different job markets and economic structures between the counties.

Budget housing, constrained income picture

Renters pay just $843/month and homeowners $946/month, among the lowest absolute costs in the state, but median income of $58,439 limits household purchasing power. Housing consumes a reasonable 17.3% of income, but lower overall earnings mean less discretionary spending for other priorities.

Coos rewards remote workers and retirees

Coos County is unbeatable for affordability if you bring income from elsewhere—remote workers and retirees find exceptional value here. If you depend on local employment, explore the income constraints carefully; Grafton or Belknap counties offer better-paying job markets alongside moderate housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Coos County

via IncomeByCounty

Coos lags far behind national income

Coos County's median household income of $58,439 falls $16,316 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This 22% gap indicates economic challenges and limited earning opportunity compared to the broader U.S.

Lowest income among New Hampshire counties

Coos ranks last among New Hampshire's ten counties with a median household income of $58,439, nearly $28,000 below the state average of $86,521. The per capita income of $36,850 is also the state's lowest, signaling concentrated economic distress.

Significant income gap with Grafton and Belknap

Coos households earn $25,582 less than Belknap County ($87,983) and $25,582 less than Grafton County ($84,021). The gap reflects limited industrial diversity and fewer high-wage employment sectors in the region.

Housing costs climb to 17% of income

Though the rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% appears manageable, Coos's low median income of $58,439 means households struggle with other essentials like food, healthcare, and transportation. The median home value of $169,600 is the state's lowest, reflecting limited property values.

Priority: build emergency savings first

For Coos County residents, wealth building begins with establishing 3–6 months of emergency savings before investing. Community resources, vocational training programs, and side-income opportunities should be explored to increase household earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Coos County

via HealthByCounty

Coos faces serious health crisis

Coos County residents face a life expectancy of just 73.9 years, 4.9 years below the U.S. average of 78.8 years—a stark difference that reflects deep health disparities. The county's 16.7% fair or poor health rate is the highest across all eight counties and significantly exceeds the national average of 12%.

New Hampshire's healthiest outlier

Coos County's 73.9-year life expectancy is 4.4 years below New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years, making it a critical outlier within the state. The gap signals urgent public health challenges including substance abuse, economic hardship, and limited healthcare access that require immediate intervention.

Significantly worse than all peers

Coos County trails every other county examined, with a life expectancy 5.5 years below the next-lowest (Belknap at 77.4) and 6.2 years behind the state median. This profound gap underscores Coos as facing the most severe health crisis in New Hampshire.

Limited providers, growing needs

Coos County's uninsured rate of 7.7% exceeds the state average of 6.7%, leaving many without coverage for preventive care. Despite higher primary care density at 112 providers per 100K, mental health support severely lags at 239 providers per 100K—a critical gap given the region's opioid epidemic and economic distress.

Coos County: get help now

Residents of Coos County must prioritize health insurance enrollment and substance abuse resources to address the county's acute health crisis. Contact 211 New Hampshire or visit healthcare.gov immediately to access affordable coverage, mental health services, and addiction support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Coos County

via RiskByCounty

Coos County Slightly Above National Average

Coos County scores 72.77, just 2.88 points above the national average of 69.89, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category. This northern county experiences natural disaster exposure comparable to many U.S. regions.

Mid-Tier Risk Among New Hampshire

Coos County ranks fifth among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 72.77, slightly above the state average of 69.89. Its position reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards, primarily driven by flood and hurricane risks.

Safer Than Grafton, Higher Than Belknap

Coos County (72.77) sits between neighboring Grafton County's elevated 81.77 and Belknap's lowest 57.38. Its flood risk of 77.64 exceeds most neighbors except Grafton, while its very low tornado risk of 10.62 reflects its northern inland location.

Floods and Hurricanes Dominate Risk Profile

Coos County faces significant flood risk at 77.64 and hurricane risk at 77.05, driven by its proximity to coastal influences and major river valleys. Notably, tornado risk of just 10.62 is the state's lowest, providing protection against severe storms.

Prioritize Flood and Hurricane Insurance

Coos County residents should maintain comprehensive flood insurance and hurricane-resistant homeowners coverage given flood and hurricane scores of 77.64 and 77.05. The county's very low tornado risk means standard wind coverage is typically sufficient.

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.