CountyScore

Fayette County

Pennsylvania · PA

#38 in Pennsylvania
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Fayette Ranks Above National Median

Fayette County's composite score of 69.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%, placing it in the top tier nationally. This strong performance reflects exceptional affordability combined with a favorable tax environment.

Above-Average Performance Statewide

Fayette ranks above Pennsylvania's 66.0 state average with a score of 69.9, positioning it in the upper third of the state's counties. This places it among the more livable Pennsylvania communities.

Unbeatable Affordability and Tax Relief

Fayette shines with a cost score of 83.2 and tax score of 68.7, supported by the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.195% and median home values of just $126,900. Rents average a very affordable $771 per month, making this county exceptional for budget-minded residents.

Low Income Levels Are Notable

Fayette's income score of 20.0 and median household income of $56,093 represent the county's weakest dimension. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevent a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Fayette is perfect for retirees living on fixed incomes or remote workers who don't rely on local employment. The combination of rock-bottom housing costs and minimal tax burden makes it one of Pennsylvania's most economical counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.7Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth67.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20Risk17.8WaterComing Soon
🏛68.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.8
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 Fayette County with another county →

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Massac County
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Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette offers below-average property taxes

Fayette's effective tax rate of 1.195% sits below the national median of 1.317%, placing it in roughly the 40th percentile nationally. Despite moderate home values ($126,900), the county's $1,516 median tax bill is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690.

Fayette ranks in the lower tier statewide

With an effective rate of 1.195%, Fayette runs below Pennsylvania's average of 1.317%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. The median tax of $1,516 is roughly $1,141 lower than the state median, reflecting both lower home values and a lower tax rate.

Fayette taxes are among the region's lowest

Fayette's 1.195% rate is lower than Greene County (1.295%) and Erie County (1.625%), though slightly higher than Forest County (1.038%). A Fayette homeowner pays roughly $300–$600 less annually than neighbors in higher-taxing counties.

Median Fayette home costs about $1,516 yearly

A typical Fayette home worth $126,900 carries an annual property tax bill of $1,516. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,737; without one, it drops to $1,371.

Even low-tax Fayette homeowners should check assessments

Overassessment affects properties across the state, regardless of county tax rates. A successful assessment appeal in Fayette could save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette Renters Enjoy Below-National Affordability

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% matches Pennsylvania's state average and sits comfortably below the national average of 15.8% when adjusted for lower local incomes. With a median household income of $56,093—significantly below the national median of $74,755—affordable housing here means stretching dollars further.

Fayette Ranks Among PA's Most Affordable

At 16.5%, Fayette's rent-to-income ratio ties the state average, placing it among Pennsylvania's most affordable counties for renters. Median rent of $771 per month undercuts the state median of $960 by nearly $200, a meaningful difference for tight budgets.

Fayette Offers the Region's Cheapest Rent

Fayette's $771 monthly rent is the lowest among its regional peers, undercutting Erie ($876), Indiana ($786), and Greene ($754) counties, though Greene edges it slightly lower. The median home value of $126,900 represents the most affordable homeownership entry point in this comparative group.

Renters Keep More of Their Income

Fayette's median household income of $56,093 paired with $771 rent means renters spend just 16.5% on housing—among the lowest burdens regionally. Homeowners pay $752 monthly, creating an unusually affordable ownership option where rental and ownership costs nearly converge.

Fayette Delivers Genuine Affordability

Job seekers and families moving to southwestern Pennsylvania should seriously consider Fayette County's combination of low rent ($771), minimal ownership costs ($752 monthly), and the state's lowest median home values. Your housing dollar stretches furthest here compared to neighboring Erie, Franklin, and Greene counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette lags well behind national norm

Fayette County's median household income of $56,093 falls $18,662 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom third nationally. This income gap reflects structural economic challenges that many rural Pennsylvania counties face.

Among Pennsylvania's lowest earners

At $56,093, Fayette's median household income ranks significantly below Pennsylvania's $69,614 state average, with a $13,521 shortfall. The county ranks in the lower quarter of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, signaling concentrated economic stress.

Fayette outearns only Forest County

Fayette's $56,093 edges above Forest County's $50,061, but trails Indiana County ($58,739) and substantially lags Franklin County ($74,946). Among this group of southwestern and western counties, Fayette faces the steepest income challenges.

Housing costs remain manageable

Fayette's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% signals that housing remains reasonably affordable despite lower overall earnings. With a median home value of $126,900, the housing market presents one of the region's more accessible entry points for first-time buyers.

Strategic planning stretches limited income

Fayette households earning $56,093 benefit from maximizing employer retirement plans and tax-advantaged savings accounts like HSAs. Seeking higher-wage employment, skill development, and side income streams can meaningfully accelerate wealth building in a lower-income region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Fayette lags significantly behind U.S. health

At 72.5 years, Fayette County residents live about 3.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting serious population health challenges. With 20.6% reporting poor or fair health—well above the 17.9% national average—the county shows elevated rates of chronic disease and health limitations.

Fayette ranks among Pennsylvania's lowest

Fayette's 72.5-year life expectancy ranks among the state's lowest, trailing the Pennsylvania average of 76.4 years by 3.9 years. This gap signals systemic barriers to health, from poverty to healthcare access, that demand focused intervention and community action.

Fayette faces tougher health than most peers

Fayette's 72.5-year life expectancy is lower than all surrounding counties except Forest County (70.9 years), placing it in a regional health crisis zone. While the county offers above-average mental health providers at 503 per 100K, its primary care access of just 37 per 100K leaves residents struggling to find routine care.

Barriers to coverage and primary care

Fayette's 6.5% uninsured rate is slightly below state average, but access remains a challenge: the county has only 37 primary care providers per 100K, roughly half the supply of healthier counties. These structural gaps mean residents often delay care, worsening chronic conditions and driving down life expectancy.

Get coverage and find a provider now

With limited primary care capacity, securing health insurance is an urgent first step for Fayette residents. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to enroll in coverage; once insured, use your plan's provider directory to find and schedule with available primary care doctors early.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette faces above-average disaster risk

Fayette County's composite risk score of 82.22 places it in the upper tier nationally, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. The county's flood risk of 90.59 alone exceeds 90% of comparable U.S. counties, signaling substantial vulnerability.

Fourth-highest risk in Pennsylvania

At 82.22, Fayette ranks among Pennsylvania's most at-risk counties—significantly above the state average of 67.45. Only three other counties statewide carry comparable composite disaster risk.

Greene and Westmoreland present lower risk

Fayette's 82.22 score substantially exceeds neighboring Greene County (55.12) and Westmoreland County to the east. This makes Fayette a relative hotspot for natural disaster vulnerability in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Floods dominate, tornadoes follow close

Flooding tops Fayette's hazard list at 90.59, with tornado risk at 68.83 and wildfire risk at 45.23 also posing significant threats. The county's river systems and topography create ideal conditions for both flash flooding and severe convective storms.

Bundle flood and storm coverage now

Fayette residents should secure both flood insurance and comprehensive homeowner's coverage immediately given the 90+ flood risk score. Consider a policy review with your agent, focusing on basement protection and emergency preparedness for tornado season.

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.