CountyScore

Cumberland County

Pennsylvania · PA

#46 in Pennsylvania
63.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Cumberland ranks above national median

Cumberland County's composite score of 64.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid U.S. livability standards. The county's appeal stems from higher median incomes and moderate tax rates, though housing costs are notably elevated.

Slightly below Pennsylvania's statewide norm

At 64.0, Cumberland County falls slightly below Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The shortfall reflects the county's higher housing and rental costs relative to income gains.

Higher incomes drive economic advantage

Cumberland County stands out with an Income Score of 39.3 and median household income of $85,634, substantially higher than all comparison counties. This income advantage enables residents to better weather the county's $261,900 median home value and $1,184 monthly rent.

Housing costs consume larger income share

Despite higher incomes, Cumberland's Cost Score of 67.0 reflects significant housing affordability pressure, with median rent and home values among the highest in the group. Health, safety, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for a complete livability picture.

Right for high-earning urban-adjacent families

Cumberland County suits established families and professionals with six-figure household incomes seeking suburban convenience near urban centers. It rewards dual-income households and senior management who can afford premium housing in exchange for stronger economic and community infrastructure.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.1Cost67SafetyComing SoonHealth78.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.3Risk13.8WaterComing Soon
🏛68.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.8
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 Cumberland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pulaski County
Arkansas
63.4
Median income: $60,385
Hernando County
Florida
63.4
Median income: $63,193
Cass County
Illinois
63.4
Median income: $64,907
Guilford County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $66,027
Wake County
North Carolina
63.4
Median income: $101,763

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cumberland County

via TaxByCounty

Cumberland taxes remain below national median

Cumberland County's 1.214% effective tax rate sits below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% and the national median of 1.58%, despite the county's median home value of $261,900 approaching the national median. The median property tax of $3,180 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting higher home values.

Cumberland ranks mid-range among counties

At $3,180 in median annual property taxes, Cumberland County ranks in Pennsylvania's middle tier, paying 20% more than the state average of $2,657. The 1.214% rate reflects a moderate tax burden relative to other counties statewide.

Cumberland pays more than adjacent counties

Cumberland County's $3,180 median tax significantly exceeds nearby Clearfield ($1,488), Clinton ($2,047), and Columbia ($2,266), driven partly by higher home values of $261,900. However, its 1.214% rate remains competitive compared to Dauphin's 1.427% and Delaware's 1.984%.

Median homeowner pays $3,180 annually

On a median home value of $261,900, Cumberland County homeowners pay approximately $3,180 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.214% effective rate. With a mortgage, taxes reach $3,257; without one, they total $3,027.

Challenge inflated assessments to save

Cumberland County homeowners with higher-value properties can recoup significant savings by appealing overassessments, potentially recovering $400-600 annually. Verify your assessed value against recent comparable sales, and file an appeal if your property is valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cumberland County

via CostByCounty

Cumberland's affordability anchored by strong income

Cumberland County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% matches the national strain point, but higher household income of $85,634—nearly $11,000 above the national median—allows residents to absorb higher housing costs. At $1,184 monthly rent, the county ranks among Pennsylvania's pricier markets, yet income growth maintains reasonable affordability.

Highest-income county with premium housing

Cumberland County boasts Pennsylvania's strongest median household income at $85,634, enabling residents to afford above-average housing costs; rents of $1,184 and median home values of $261,900 reflect a more affluent market. The county's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio stays near the state average despite these premium price points.

Pricier than rural regions, justified by income

Cumberland's $1,184 monthly rent and $261,900 median home value substantially exceed rural peers like Clearfield ($788 rent, $125,000 homes) or Elk ($720 rent, $128,600 homes). However, Cumberland's significantly higher median income of $85,634 versus Clearfield's $60,181 explains and supports these premium costs.

Strong income absorbs above-average housing

Renters dedicate roughly 17% of the $85,634 median household income to $1,184 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 18% on mortgages averaging $1,302 on homes valued at $261,900. Both ratios remain manageable due to the county's strong income base.

Cumberland suits higher-income relocators

Cumberland offers Pennsylvania's strongest income foundation, making premium housing costs more accessible; median home prices near $262,000 and rents at $1,184 remain proportional to household earnings. Consider it if you're earning well above state average and value the amenities and job market that higher prices reflect.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cumberland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cumberland outpaces U.S. income median

Cumberland County's median household income of $85,634 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $10,879, a 14.6% premium. This places Cumberland among the wealthier counties nationally and well above most Pennsylvania peers. The strong performance reflects a diversified economy with proximity to state capital Harrisburg.

Second-wealthiest county in sample

Cumberland's $85,634 median household income ranks second only to Delaware County ($88,576) in this eight-county comparison and exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $16,020. Per capita income of $45,365 also ranks among the highest statewide. Cumberland's economic strength reflects both individual prosperity and regional development.

Clear leader in regional earnings

Cumberland's $85,634 median household income vastly exceeds all other peers in this sample, surpassing Dauphin ($74,159) by over $11,000 and trailing only Delaware County. This commanding lead reflects Cumberland's location, economic diversity, and proximity to government and professional services sectors. The gap widens significantly in the western counties.

Incomes support rising home values

Cumberland's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is balanced, but the median home value of $261,900 consumes a significant portion of household wealth. Residents earning $85,634 spend roughly $1,180 monthly on rent, while home purchases require substantial down payments. The affordability challenge intensifies because property values continue appreciating faster than wages.

Diversify wealth beyond home equity

Cumberland's above-average incomes provide opportunity to build wealth in stocks, bonds, and alternative investments beyond real estate. Max out 401(k) and IRA contributions, then explore taxable investment accounts for additional growth. With consistent contributions and disciplined rebalancing, high-income earners can accumulate meaningful wealth within 10–15 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cumberland County

via HealthByCounty

Cumberland leads the region in longevity

At 79.3 years, Cumberland County residents live nearly 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a remarkable health advantage. Just 15.7% report poor or fair health, the lowest among all eight counties, reflecting strong preventive care and economic stability.

Pennsylvania's healthiest county in this cohort

Cumberland's 79.3-year life expectancy dramatically outpaces Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average, ranking it in the top tier of the state's 67 counties. Its 5.3% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 7.0%, indicating robust economic health and access equity.

Clear outlier for prosperity and wellness

Cumberland's 79.3-year life expectancy towers over all regional peers, including Delaware County (77.6 years) and Clearfield (75.9 years), a gap of up to 3.4 years. With 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and strong uninsured rates, Cumberland demonstrates how resources translate to health.

Excellent primary care and mental health resources

Cumberland delivers 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest in this cohort—plus 249 mental health providers, ensuring comprehensive care access. This provider density, paired with a low uninsured rate of 5.3%, creates an unusually equitable health care environment.

Maintain Cumberland's health advantage

Though Cumberland leads in coverage, approximately 2,700 residents remain uninsured, missing opportunities for preventive care that sustains the county's exceptional longevity. Ensure your family is enrolled at Healthcare.gov—maintaining universal coverage strengthens the county's competitive health edge.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cumberland County

via RiskByCounty

Cumberland ranks as moderately hazard-prone

A composite risk score of 86.20 places Cumberland well above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate risk rating. The county faces high exposure across nearly all hazard categories, particularly from flooding (91.13), earthquakes (81.93), and hurricanes (87.44).

Second-highest risk in Pennsylvania

Cumberland's 86.20 score ranks second only to Delaware County (92.91) among Pennsylvania's 67 counties, significantly exceeding the state average of 67.45. This elevated position reflects the county's central location and proximity to major seismic zones, tornado corridors, and hurricane-influenced weather patterns.

Dramatically riskier than northern counterparts

Cumberland (86.20) faces substantially higher composite risk than Clearfield (67.11) or Clinton (51.78) counties to the north, with particularly acute exposure to tornadoes and earthquakes. Only southeastern Delaware County exceeds Cumberland's hazard burden, making the south-central corridor Pennsylvania's most disaster-prone region.

Floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes align here

Flood risk dominates at 91.13, while earthquake risk of 81.93 and tornado risk of 68.16 create a triple-threat hazard profile. These three hazards collectively drive Cumberland's Relatively Moderate rating and demand comprehensive household preparedness across multiple disaster types.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy essential

Flood insurance at 91.13 flood risk is absolutely critical; pair it with earthquake coverage given the 81.93 seismic exposure. Reinforce your home's roof and foundation to withstand both tornadoes (68.16 risk) and earthquakes, and maintain an emergency kit addressing all three primary hazards.

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.