El Paso County

Colorado · CO

#58 in Colorado
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About El Paso County, Colorado

El Paso ranks above national median

El Paso County's composite score of 65.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates solid livability performance against U.S. benchmarks.

Slightly below Colorado state average

El Paso's score of 65.5 trails Colorado's average of 71.8, ranking it near the middle-lower tier of state counties. Several Colorado peers outperform El Paso on overall livability metrics.

Tax-friendly with reasonable housing costs

El Paso boasts a tax score of 90.7 with a low effective rate of 0.411%, and a cost score of 52.9 reflecting moderate housing values around $431,000. Median gross rent of $1,609 provides reasonable rental affordability for the region.

Income levels below state norms

El Paso's income score of 40.5 reflects median household income of $87,470, trailing state and national patterns. Safety, health, schools, and environmental dimensions lack data, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Great for cost-conscious military families

El Paso County appeals to military personnel, young families, and budget-focused residents seeking tax efficiency and moderate housing costs. The county offers good value in Colorado's competitive real estate market.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.7Cost52.9SafetyComing SoonHealth74SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.5Risk5.9WaterComing Soon
🏛90.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠52.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼40.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
74
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
5.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

El Paso County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in El Paso County

via TaxByCounty

El Paso taxes slightly above national median

El Paso County's effective rate of 0.411% exceeds the national median of 0.381%, placing it in approximately the 55th percentile nationally. Homeowners pay a median of $1,773 annually, well below the national median of $2,690, because El Paso's median home value of $431,000 is below the U.S. average.

El Paso ranks middle of Colorado counties

With an effective rate of 0.411%, El Paso sits modestly above Colorado's state average of 0.393%, placing it squarely in the middle tier. The median tax of $1,773 exceeds Colorado's median of $1,560, but El Paso remains more affordable than Denver or the mountain counties.

El Paso undercuts Douglas, competes with Denver

El Paso's 0.411% rate is significantly lower than Douglas County's 0.550% and slightly below Denver's 0.443%, but higher than Fremont's 0.383%. As Colorado Springs' home county, El Paso offers a middle-ground tax position among the state's major population centers.

El Paso homeowners pay $1,773 yearly

On El Paso County's median home value of $431,000, the typical property owner pays approximately $1,773 in annual property taxes. This relatively moderate burden makes El Paso competitive for families and retirees seeking affordable mountain-adjacent living.

El Paso homeowners should verify assessments

Like all Colorado counties, El Paso sees regular overassessments, particularly in rapidly growing areas around Colorado Springs. A free assessment appeal can help homeowners confirm their tax is based on accurate comparable sales data.

Cost of Living in El Paso County

via CostByCounty

Colorado Springs region balanced overall

El Paso County residents spend 22.1% of their income on rent, slightly above Colorado's state average of 20.2% but below many national benchmarks. With a median household income of $87,470 (above the national average of $74,755) and median rent of $1,609, the county offers moderate affordability.

Solid middle ground in state rankings

El Paso County's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably in Colorado's mid-tier affordability, above the state average but not among the most burdened counties. The region balances military presence, tech growth, and established communities into reasonably accessible housing.

Cheaper than Denver, comparable to Garfield

El Paso County's $1,609 median rent undercuts Denver ($1,770) and Eagle County ($2,032) while tracking similarly to Garfield County ($1,515). Residents earn less than Denver or Eagle counterparts but benefit from lower absolute housing costs.

Moderate burden on military-influenced incomes

Renters dedicate $1,609 monthly (22.1% of $87,470 income) while homeowners pay $1,698 on a median home value of $431,000. El Paso County's military presence and tech economy support middle-class housing stability better than many comparable markets.

Colorado Springs appeals to mid-career movers

If you're relocating with $80,000–$100,000 in income and seeking lower housing costs than Denver, El Paso County delivers solid value and growing job markets. The region suits military families, tech workers, and those seeking affordability without sacrificing urban amenities.

Income & Jobs in El Paso County

via IncomeByCounty

El Paso earns 17% above the nation

El Paso County's median household income of $87,470 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $12,715, reflecting Colorado Springs' robust military and tech sectors. The county consistently outpaces national averages despite being more affordable than Colorado's mountain counties.

Mid-tier earnings among Colorado counties

El Paso County ranks in the upper-middle range of Colorado's 64 counties with $87,470 in median household income, exceeding the state average of $74,792 by $12,678. It positions the county ahead of most rural peers but below premier suburban areas.

El Paso competitive with regional peers

El Paso's $87,470 income trails Denver's $91,681 but exceeds Garfield County's $86,172 and Dolores County's $70,490. Among mid-sized Colorado counties, El Paso holds its own as a growing economic center.

Housing remains affordable relative to income

El Paso County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.1% signals healthy housing affordability, well below the 30% stress threshold, even with a $431,000 median home value. Strong incomes relative to housing costs give residents financial flexibility.

Balance stability with opportunity

El Paso County's above-average income and reasonable housing costs create an ideal platform for savings and investment growth. Residents should capitalize on this balance by building retirement accounts and exploring real estate as a wealth-building tool.

Health in El Paso County

via HealthByCounty

El Paso County falls short of national health

At 76.2 years, El Paso County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 2.7 years. With 14.9% reporting poor or fair health, Colorado Springs' home county faces below-average health outcomes.

Colorado's second-lowest life expectancy

El Paso County ranks near the bottom of Colorado counties at 76.2 years—2.0 years below the state average of 78.2 years. Only Fremont County (75.5 years) performs worse statewide.

Significantly lags suburban health gains

El Paso County residents live 6.3 years less than Douglas County (82.5) and 4.2 years less than Elbert County (80.7). The 14.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst, despite Colorado Springs' substantial population and economic base.

Mental health providers plentiful, primary care limited

El Paso County has 468 mental health providers per 100K—well above state averages—yet only 63 primary care providers per 100K. With 8.2% uninsured, gaps remain in foundational healthcare access.

El Paso County: prioritize preventive coverage

One in 12 El Paso residents lacks insurance in a county facing health challenges. Visit Connect for Health Colorado or call the El Paso County Health Department for Medicaid, marketplace plans, and preventive care resources.

Disaster Risk in El Paso County

via RiskByCounty

El Paso faces near-extreme disaster risk

El Paso County scores 94.05 on composite disaster risk, rated Relatively Moderate—more than double Colorado's state average of 40.67. This high score reflects critical vulnerability across nearly every hazard category.

Highest-risk county in Colorado

El Paso ranks as Colorado's most hazard-exposed county, surpassing even Denver in composite risk at 94.05. The county encompasses Colorado Springs and sprawling suburbs, concentrating millions of people in high-hazard zones.

Riskier than Denver and Douglas combined

El Paso's score of 94.05 matches Denver (95.23) and exceeds Douglas (88.71), making it the most vulnerable county in the state. Only Elbert (36.58) and Fremont (68.58) nearby show substantially lower risk.

Wildfires, tornadoes, and floods threaten equally

El Paso residents face wildfire risk of 99.27 (nearly maximum), tornado risk of 96.82, and flood risk of 94.97. Earthquake risk of 75.10 adds a fourth major threat to this high-hazard county.

Maximum insurance protection is non-negotiable

El Paso County homeowners must secure separate flood and earthquake policies, plus comprehensive wildfire and wind coverage on their standard policy. Consider upgrading to high replacement-cost limits given the county's exposure and rapid growth.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.