CountyScore

Escambia County

Florida · FL

#34 in Florida
63
County Score

County Report Card

About Escambia County, Florida

Escambia County edges above national median

Escambia County's composite score of 70.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects balanced performance across tax efficiency and cost affordability, though income levels remain modest. The county appeals to those seeking moderate livability without premium costs.

Slightly above Florida's state average

With a score of 70.0, Escambia County surpasses Florida's state average of 69.4 by 0.6 points, placing it just above the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The county performs comparably to statewide norms, making it a representative Florida community with balanced livability. It ranks ahead of half the state's counties while trailing the most affordable markets.

Exceptional tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs

Escambia County's tax score of 85.4 reflects an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.600%—among Florida's lowest. The cost score of 69.3 translates to a median home value of $234,200 and median rent of $1,234/month, both below state averages and competitive regionally. These factors combine to create substantial financial advantage for residents.

Modest income levels limit earning potential

The income score of 26.3 reflects a median household income of $65,715, below Clay and Collier but above rural counties, suggesting moderate local employment opportunity. Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable. Households dependent on local employment should investigate Escambia's job markets before relocating.

Strong choice for budget-conscious working families

Escambia County suits working families, practical retirees, and households seeking excellent tax efficiency combined with affordable housing. The combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs creates strong financial stability for middle-income households. It represents a balanced Florida community—neither as affordable as rural counties nor as economically dynamic as Jacksonville's Duval County.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost69.3SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.3Risk4.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Escambia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Mason County
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Yates County
New York
63
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Brown County
Texas
63
Median income: $55,305

Deep Dives

Escambia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Escambia County

via CostByCounty

Escambia matches Florida's state average affordability

Escambia County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio exactly matches Florida's state average, putting the county in the comfort zone well below the national 30% threshold. With median household income of $65,715 and median rent of $1,234, Escambia delivers balanced affordability typical of mid-sized Florida metros.

Escambia tracks exactly with state affordability norms

At 22.5%, Escambia County's rent-to-income ratio perfectly mirrors Florida's state average, making it a benchmark market for typical state housing conditions. The $1,234 median rent matches the state average dollar-for-dollar, confirming Escambia's position as a representative Florida county.

Escambia balances costs reasonably against peers

Escambia's $1,234 rent slightly undercuts Citrus County ($1,069 is lower) and Duval County ($1,385), while sitting well above rural counties like Columbia ($915) and Dixie ($792). Median home value of $234,200 positions Escambia between affordable rural areas and premium coastal markets.

Housing consumes typical share of income

Escambia renters spend 22.5% of their $65,715 income on housing, while homeowners dedicate roughly 19.9% to monthly ownership costs on a $234,200 median home. These figures leave reasonable room for other expenses, though less discretionary income than more affordable rural counties.

Escambia offers typical Florida affordability trade-offs

Consider Escambia if you want representatively priced Florida housing in a mid-sized city—you'll experience what most Floridians face in balancing urban access against housing costs. For better affordability, venture to rural counties; for premium amenities, expect to pay Collier or higher prices.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Escambia County

via HealthByCounty

Escambia slightly below national averages

Escambia County residents live to 72.7 years on average, falling 5.4 years short of the U.S. average of 78.1 years. The county's 18.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds national averages, suggesting persistent health challenges across the Pensacola region.

Northwest Florida county shows health lag

Escambia County's 72.7-year life expectancy trails Florida's state average of 75.8 years by 3.1 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. Its 12.4% uninsured rate is notably better than the state average of 14.4%, indicating better insurance coverage despite health outcome challenges.

Competing with regional health patterns

Escambia County's 72.7-year life expectancy places it in the lower cluster of these eight counties, comparable to Citrus (72.5) and Columbia (72.4). With 76 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Escambia has competitive provider access that matches larger metros like Duval.

Good access despite lagging outcomes

Escambia County's 12.4% uninsured rate is among the lowest of these eight counties, yet the county maintains 76 primary care providers and 252 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This paradox—strong infrastructure coupled with mediocre health outcomes—suggests that social determinants and preventive care gaps, rather than provider availability, drive the health disparities.

Use coverage to prioritize prevention

With strong healthcare infrastructure in place, Escambia County residents who are uninsured are missing the preventive care that translates access into better health. Visit healthcare.gov or call Escambia County's health department during open enrollment to select a plan that includes preventive services and primary care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Escambia County

via RiskByCounty

Escambia among America's highest risks

Escambia County's composite risk score of 95.10 earns a "Relatively High" rating and ranks it in the top tier of hazard-exposed U.S. counties. The Gulf Coast location drives extreme hurricane (98.83) and flood (88.68) risks, while wildfire (82.63) and earthquake (68.64) threats round out a formidable disaster profile.

Among Florida's most vulnerable counties

At 95.10, Escambia County substantially exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks among the state's top three or four highest-risk jurisdictions. The Panhandle Gulf position directly exposes the county to Atlantic hurricane tracks and tropical storm systems, amplifying seasonal hazards.

Comparable to other Gulf extremes

Escambia County (95.10) closely mirrors Citrus County (94.69) to the south and remains just below Collier County (98.92), making it one of Florida's most consistently hazardous Gulf Coast jurisdictions. Its shared exposure to open Gulf conditions creates aligned vulnerability across these western and southwestern counties.

Hurricanes and floods threaten Pensacola

Hurricane risk reaches 98.83—among the highest in the nation—while flood risk of 88.68 reflects storm surge, heavy rainfall, and tidal influences in this Pensacola-area county. Wildfire risk at 82.63 affects inland forests and developed areas during dry seasons, creating a year-round hazard cycle.

Hurricane and flood insurance essential

Given the 98.83 hurricane score, comprehensive homeowners insurance explicitly covering wind, hail, and impact damage is mandatory for Escambia residents. Separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is critical, and property owners should prioritize wind mitigation—reinforced roofing, impact-resistant windows, storm shutters—to reduce losses and insurance premiums.

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.