countyscore
48.5
County Score
Safety 93.4Water Quality 86Property Tax 74.5

County Report Card

About Escambia County, Florida

Above national average with clear strengths

Escambia County scores 48.9, nearly matching the national median of 50.0 and exceeding Florida's average of 45.1 by 3.8 points. The county's performance reflects a strong safety profile and tax efficiency that offset modest affordability constraints.

Above Florida's typical county performance

At 48.9, Escambia County ranks in Florida's upper-middle tier, outperforming 70% of state counties. The county demonstrates solid, reliable livability across most dimensions, making it a competitive choice within Florida.

Safety and tax efficiency are exceptional

Escambia County's safety score of 93.4 is among Florida's best, with an effective tax rate of just 0.600% (tax score 74.5). These strengths create a secure, tax-efficient environment that appeals to both retirees and working families.

Affordability and health need improvement

The cost score of 19.2 reflects challenging housing affordability, with median rent of $1,234 and home values of $234,200 requiring substantial household income. Health score of 34.7 and school score of 22.6 also lag desired levels, limiting appeal to education-focused families.

Safe haven for tax-conscious households

Escambia County suits safety-conscious retirees and families willing to pay moderate housing costs for exceptional crime prevention and low taxes. Those prioritizing excellent schools or seeking maximum housing affordability should explore alternative Florida markets.

2040608010074.517.393.434.722.6564.98634.7Tax74.5Cost17.3Safety93.4Health34.7Schools22.6Income56Risk4.9Water86Weather34.748.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Escambia County DNA

Foverall

How Escambia County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Escambia County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (93.4/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (4.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
74.5+22.5
Cost
17.3-30.7
Safety
93.4+38.400000000000006
Health
34.7-15.299999999999997
Schools
22.6-31.4
Income
56
Risk
4.9-42.1
Water
86+28
Weather
34.7-21.299999999999997
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Escambia County

Whether buying or refinancing in Escambia County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$257,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,321/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$257,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$52,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,500/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Escambia County with Baldwin County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Baldwin County
Alabama
Median income: $78,775
48.5
Screven County
Georgia
Median income: $52,792
48.5
Treutlen County
Georgia
Median income: $55,518
48.5
McKenzie County
North Dakota
Median income: $93,404
48.5
Hickman County
Tennessee
Median income: $68,247
48.5
Albany County
Wyoming
Median income: $61,917
48.5
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Alaska
Median income: $92,885
48.6
Desha County
Arkansas
Median income: $37,662
48.4

Nearby counties

Santa Rosa County
Florida
48
Baldwin County
Alabama
48.5
Escambia County
Alabama
45.6
Mobile County
Alabama
33
Okaloosa County
Florida
52.4
Monroe County
Alabama
53.5
Conecuh County
Alabama
57.6
Washington County
Alabama
65.1

Deep Dives

Escambia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Escambia County

via TaxByCounty

Escambia County offers below-average taxes

At 0.600%, Escambia County's effective tax rate falls well below the national median of 0.731%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. With median home values of $234,200, residents pay $1,406 annually—about half the national median property tax of $2,690.

Among Florida's cheapest tax counties

Escambia County ranks near the bottom of Florida's tax rates at 0.600%, significantly below the state average of 0.731%. Annual property taxes here average $1,406 compared to the statewide median of $1,885.

Escambia beats most regional competitors

Escambia County's 0.600% rate trails only Citrus County (0.591%) among our eight counties. It undercuts all other peers: Collier (0.661%), Dixie (0.738%), Columbia (0.743%), Clay (0.739%), Duval (0.779%), and DeSoto (0.873%).

What $234,200 home costs annually

On Escambia County's median home value of $234,200, residents pay approximately $1,406 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related taxes, annual costs rise to around $1,602.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Many Florida homeowners are overassessed relative to market value, and Escambia County residents can file an appeal with the Property Appraiser's office. The process is typically free and could lower your taxable assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Escambia County

via IncomeByCounty

Escambia County near national income average

Escambia County's median household income of $65,715 sits about $9,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755—a 12% shortfall. As Florida's westernmost county, Escambia's income reflects a diverse economy anchored by military installation, tourism, and port employment.

Right at Florida's income center

At $65,715, Escambia County tracks almost exactly with Florida's state average of $65,468, placing it squarely in the middle of Florida's income distribution. This median reflects Escambia's role as an economic bridge between rural North Florida and wealthier coastal regions.

Moderate income, above rural comparison

Escambia County's $65,715 income moderately exceeds DeSoto County ($50,868) and Dixie County ($47,655) by $15,000+, yet trails the affluent Clay County ($86,094) and Collier County ($86,173) by roughly $20,000. The county anchors the lower-middle income segment regionally.

Rental market manageable for most residents

Escambia County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% falls within acceptable range, with renters spending roughly $1,235 monthly on housing. The median home value of $234,200 is reasonable relative to income, supporting homeownership for middle-income families.

Build long-term security through discipline

Households earning $65,000+ can meaningfully increase retirement savings and investment contributions. Consistent participation in employer plans, a mortgage-building strategy, and steady contributions to diversified accounts create compound wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Escambia County

via CrimeByCounty

Escambia County Reports Elite Safety Levels

Escambia County boasts a near-perfect safety score of 99.9, making it one of the safest reported areas in the nation. Its total crime rate is just 69.4 per 100,000, far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading the State of Florida

With a safety score of 99.9, Escambia far exceeds the Florida state average of 98.4. Its reported crime rate is a fraction of the state average of 1,027.9, reflecting a very secure environment.

Setting the Standard for the Region

Escambia County reports significantly lower crime than any other county in this group, including Collier and Dixie. Twelve agencies coordinate to maintain these exceptionally low incident numbers.

Extremely Low Crime Across Categories

The violent crime rate is a mere 9.0 and the property crime rate is 60.4 per 100,000 residents. These figures represent some of the lowest crime statistics in the entire state of Florida.

Maintain Your Peace of Mind

While crime is rare in Escambia, basic security measures like locking doors and being aware of surroundings help sustain this safe culture. Community engagement remains the best defense against new trends.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Escambia County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Very Wet

Escambia County averages 68.5°F annually, placing it well into the subtropical category. It is most notable for its high rainfall, which far exceeds national precipitation medians.

Florida's Cooler Northwest

At 68.5°F, Escambia is cooler than the 71.1°F Florida average. It experiences some of the lowest annual temperatures in the state due to its Panhandle location.

The State's Rain Leader

Escambia receives 63.0 inches of rain annually, which is nearly 9 inches more than the Florida average. It is significantly wetter than nearby Duval County's 50.8 inches.

Moderate Heat, Heavy Rain

The county experiences only 62 extreme heat days, much fewer than the 119 seen in Collier. However, January is relatively cool for Florida, averaging 52.4°F.

Focus on Water Management

With 63 inches of annual rain, robust gutter systems and proper home drainage are vital. Prepare for the 62 heat days with breathable fabrics and consistent hydration.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Escambia County

via SoilByCounty

The Panhandle's Unique Soil Identity

Escambia County features a soil pH of 4.96, which is slightly less acidic than the state average of 4.88. While it is closer to the national median of 6.5 than many other Florida counties, it remains firmly in the acidic category. Detailed taxonomic data is unavailable, but the profile is distinct for the far western Panhandle.

Highest Silt and Clay in the Group

At 75.7% sand, 11.6% silt, and 8.2% clay, Escambia has the most balanced soil texture among these counties. This higher silt and clay content provides much better nutrient holding capacity and structural stability than typical Florida sands. It creates a 'heavier' soil that retains moisture and fertilizers more effectively.

Lower Organic Matter, High Water Storage

Organic matter is relatively low at 3.25%, falling well below the Florida average of 8.03%. However, the available water capacity is high at 0.119 in/in, which is better than the state average of 0.108 in/in. The silt and clay help make up for the lower organic matter by holding water in the root zone.

Balanced Drainage for Panhandle Farming

Specific drainage classes are not provided, but the higher clay and silt content suggests a slower drainage rate than Florida's peninsula sands. This can be an advantage during dry spells as it keeps the soil from becoming parched. For gardening and building, it means a more stable soil that requires less frequent watering.

Diverse Planting in Zone 9a

In Zone 9a, Escambia County is perfect for traditional Southern favorites like collard greens, pecans, and satsuma oranges. The unique silt and clay mix makes it one of the better counties for growing vegetables that need consistent moisture. Dive into gardening here, as your soil's ability to hold water gives you a significant head start.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Escambia County

via LawnByCounty

Escambia matches the state difficulty

Escambia County’s lawn difficulty score of 19.2 perfectly matches the Florida state average. While Zone 9a gardening is challenging compared to the national median of 50.0, the local rainfall provides a unique advantage.

High rainfall and moderate heat

The county receives a massive 63.0 inches of annual rain, far more than the state average of 54.7. Combined with only 62 extreme heat days—the lowest in this group—grass here enjoys a more temperate environment.

Heavier clay helps retain moisture

At 8.2%, Escambia has the highest clay content of these counties, which helps the 75.7% sand hold onto water longer. The pH of 4.96 is still acidic, so regular testing and lime applications are still necessary for peak performance.

Mildest drought conditions in the region

Unlike its neighbors, only 6.9% of Escambia is in severe drought, making it much easier to maintain turf right now. However, 100% of the area is abnormally dry, so keep a close eye on soil moisture during peak summer months.

Utilize the high-moisture climate

Centipede or Zoysia grass are excellent choices that benefit from the heavy local rainfall. Plan to start your lawn after the February 28th frost date to take advantage of the wet and warming spring weather.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Escambia County's county score?
Escambia County, Florida has a composite county score of 48.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Escambia County rank among counties in Florida?
Escambia County ranks #24 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Escambia County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Escambia County is $1,495, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Escambia County a tax score of 74.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Escambia County?
The median household income in Escambia County, Florida is $67,500 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Escambia County earns an income score of 56/100 on CountyScore.
Is Escambia County, Florida a good place to live?
Escambia County scores 48.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Escambia County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Escambia County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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