Erie County scores 56.4, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 55th-60th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates above-average livability for the broader United States.
2 / 5
Solid Performance Within New York
Erie scores 56.4, surpassing New York's state average of 54.7, placing it among the state's stronger counties. The county demonstrates balanced performance across multiple livability factors.
3 / 5
Cost and Tax Balance Appeal
Erie's cost score of 72.5 and tax score of 43.7 offer reasonable value, with median rent at $1,037/month and a median home value of $217,400. The 2.081% effective tax rate provides moderate tax burden for the region.
4 / 5
Income Levels Remain Moderate
Erie's income score of 29.8 reflects a median household income of $71,175, modest for its size and regional importance. The county offers limited high-earning employment opportunities relative to its scale.
5 / 5
Good for Balanced-Lifestyle Seekers
Erie County suits families seeking balance between cost, taxes, and moderate incomes without extreme tradeoffs. The county works well for middle-class households, small-business owners, and those valuing urban amenities with reasonable housing costs.
Erie County scores 56.4, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 55th-60th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates above-average livability for the broader United States.
Solid Performance Within New York
Erie scores 56.4, surpassing New York's state average of 54.7, placing it among the state's stronger counties. The county demonstrates balanced performance across multiple livability factors.
Cost and Tax Balance Appeal
Erie's cost score of 72.5 and tax score of 43.7 offer reasonable value, with median rent at $1,037/month and a median home value of $217,400. The 2.081% effective tax rate provides moderate tax burden for the region.
Income Levels Remain Moderate
Erie's income score of 29.8 reflects a median household income of $71,175, modest for its size and regional importance. The county offers limited high-earning employment opportunities relative to its scale.
Good for Balanced-Lifestyle Seekers
Erie County suits families seeking balance between cost, taxes, and moderate incomes without extreme tradeoffs. The county works well for middle-class households, small-business owners, and those valuing urban amenities with reasonable housing costs.
Score breakdown
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🏛43.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Erie County's effective tax rate of 2.081% is nearly three times the national median effective rate of roughly 0.71%, yet its median property tax of $4,525 is only slightly above the national median of $2,690. This reflects Erie's position as a mid-sized upstate county with moderate property values of $217,400.
Erie slightly above state average rate
Erie County's effective rate of 2.081% is marginally above New York's state average of 2.046%, while its median property tax of $4,525 falls notably below the state average of $4,709. Erie represents a fairly typical tax burden for a mid-sized New York county.
Erie taxes align with regional middle
Erie County's effective rate of 2.081% falls between Cortland's high 2.646% and Delaware's lower 1.736%, while its median tax of $4,525 matches the general mid-range of these eight counties. As Western New York's largest county, Erie offers moderate tax rates for its size.
Erie median property tax is $4,525
A homeowner with a median-valued property of $217,400 in Erie County pays an estimated $4,525 in annual property taxes, or approximately $377 per month. With mortgage escrow, the total typically reaches about $4,837.
Assessment appeals save thousands
Erie County homeowners should verify their assessments are accurate—property overvaluation is a frequent occurrence that inflates tax bills year after year. Filing a simple appeal with your local assessor costs nothing and could return significant savings to your household budget.
Erie County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% sits just below the national 28% comfort threshold, with median rent at $1,037 monthly. At $71,175 median household income, Erie residents maintain solid affordability despite rents above many smaller upstate counties.
Close to New York's state average
Erie's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio nearly mirrors New York's 17.6% average, with median rents of $1,037—just $96 below the state median. This positions Erie as representative of mid-tier New York affordability.
Buffalo-area pricing moderate regionally
Erie's $1,037 rent runs roughly 13% above neighboring upstate counties like Cortland and Chenango but remains $485 cheaper than Dutchess County. Median home values of $217,400 reflect Erie's status as an urban anchor county with significant housing stock.
Urban affordability with reasonable costs
Erie residents earning $71,175 spending $1,037 on rent allocate 17.5% of income to housing, a balanced approach in an urban setting. Homeowners pay $1,125 monthly, or 18.9% of income, keeping ownership achievable for moderate-income households.
Urban access with modest affordability
Erie offers families earning $65,000–$80,000 a combination of urban amenities and moderate housing costs that compare favorably to other major metros. At 17.5%, Erie's rent ratio delivers reasonable value for those seeking city services without premium pricing.
Erie County's median household income of $71,175 sits just 4.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the American middle. This near-parity reflects a diversified manufacturing and services economy anchored by Buffalo's regional institutions.
Below state average but stable
Erie's $71,175 falls modestly short of New York's $76,433 state average by $5,258, ranking it in the middle band of the state's 62 counties. Buffalo's presence as a major regional hub helps sustain household incomes above many rural upstate peers.
Regional economic center pays off
Erie's $71,175 outpaces rural counties like Delaware ($60,226) and Chenango ($62,093) but lags wealthy Hudson Valley counties like Dutchess ($97,273). As Western New York's economic anchor, Buffalo keeps Erie incomes relatively competitive within the state.
Affordable housing in major city
With a median home value of $217,400 and a 17.5% rent-to-income ratio, Erie offers genuine affordability for a county anchored by a major metropolitan area. Buffalo's lower real-estate prices compared to New York City and other state metros help stretch household earnings.
Leverage Buffalo's economic stability
Erie's $71,175 median income and affordable housing create a genuine opportunity to build savings while employed in a stable regional economy. Establish automatic contributions to a 401(k) or IRA, then use the extra cash flow to explore down-payment funds or investment accounts.
At 77.0 years, Erie County's life expectancy sits 1.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—wait, that math is wrong. Erie actually sits 0.6 years above the national average at 77.0 years. A 15.1% poor/fair health rate is moderate within this cohort.
Slightly below New York's average
Erie's 77.0-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of New York's state average of 77.9 years. The county ranks middle-of-the-pack statewide for longevity.
Mid-range performance in Western NY
Erie (77.0 years) outpaces no rural counties in this cohort but serves as an urban anchor for Western New York. As Buffalo's home county, Erie's regional health leadership relies on urban provider concentration.
Urban advantage: strong provider access
Erie boasts 73 primary care providers and 414 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the second-highest mental health provider density in the cohort. With a 4.3% uninsured rate, the lowest among these eight counties, Erie residents enjoy strong coverage and provider access.
Erie's health momentum depends on you
Erie's excellent coverage rate and robust provider network create ideal conditions for preventive care. Verify your plan at NY State of Health to stay ahead of health challenges.
Erie County's composite risk score of 97.68 places it among the nation's highest-risk counties, earning a relatively high risk rating. The county faces exceptional exposure to floods (99.01), tornadoes (95.39), and earthquakes (85.85), with moderate hurricane risk (71.30) adding further complexity. This extraordinary vulnerability demands urgent, comprehensive disaster preparation.
New York's most dangerous county here
At 97.68, Erie County's composite score far exceeds New York's state average of 69.42, positioning it among the state's most vulnerable counties by a significant margin. This extremely elevated standing reflects Erie's exposure to Lake effect weather, seismic activity, and flat terrain conducive to flooding and tornadoes. The county's risk profile is exceptional and requires the highest level of preparedness.
Dramatically higher risk than all neighbors
Erie's 97.68 score substantially exceeds all other counties in this comparison, including the second-highest Dutchess (88.26) and third-highest Delaware (83.33). No neighboring county approaches Erie's risk level. Your county faces hazard exposure that is quantitatively and qualitatively different from surrounding areas.
Catastrophic flood and tornado exposure
Erie County faces truly exceptional flood risk (99.01)—near-perfect danger score—combined with extremely high tornado exposure (95.39). Earthquake risk (85.85) adds a third major threat, while wildfire (62.63) and hurricane (71.30) exposure round out your comprehensive hazard profile. These converging dangers place Erie among the nation's most disaster-prone counties.
Urgent: obtain all available insurance
Your county's near-maximum flood (99.01) and tornado (95.39) risks make flood insurance and comprehensive wind coverage non-negotiable, regardless of cost or inconvenience. Earthquake insurance deserves serious consideration given your 85.85 exposure. Immediately consult with a professional insurance broker and engineer to assess your property's specific vulnerabilities and available protections.