CountyScore

Franklin County

New York · NY

#5 in New York
64.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, New York

Franklin County tops the national median

Franklin County's composite score of 62.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. This upstate county outperforms most of the country on overall livability.

Strongest performer in upstate region

Franklin County ranks among the top-performing counties in New York State, with a score of 62.1 compared to the state average of 54.7. The county significantly outpaces the statewide baseline.

Exceptional affordability and moderate taxes

Franklin County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 80.9, supported by a median home value of just $128,600 and rent averaging $819 per month. Tax burden is reasonable at 1.88% effective rate, making it appealing for budget-conscious families.

Income levels need strengthening

The county's income score of 25.0 reflects a median household income of $63,747, below state and national norms. Data gaps remain for safety, health, schools, and water quality, limiting a complete livability picture.

Ideal for cost-conscious professionals

Franklin County suits families and workers prioritizing low housing costs and reasonable taxes over high incomes. It's best for those seeking affordable rural or semi-rural living in upstate New York.

Score breakdown

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

Tax49.4Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk51.2WaterComing Soon
🏛49.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.2
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 Franklin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coconino County
Arizona
64.2
Median income: $69,748
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
64.2
Median income: $87,564
Saline County
Illinois
64.2
Median income: $54,945
Leavenworth County
Kansas
64.2
Median income: $86,906
Jefferson Parish
Louisiana
64.2
Median income: $65,246

Deep Dives

Franklin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Franklin County

via TaxByCounty

Franklin's tax rate beats national average

At 1.88%, Franklin County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 2.13%, placing it in the lower third nationally. This means Franklin homeowners pay less in property taxes relative to home value than most Americans—a significant advantage for affordability.

Below average among New York counties

Franklin ranks among the lower-taxed counties in New York, with an effective rate of 1.88% compared to the state average of 2.046%. This positions Franklin favorably within a state known for relatively high property taxes.

More affordable than most regional peers

Franklin's 1.88% rate outperforms neighboring Fulton County (2.13%) and Genesee County (2.51%), making it one of the region's more tax-friendly options. Only Hamilton County (0.98%) beats Franklin's rate in the immediate area.

Typical homeowner pays $2,418 annually

The median home in Franklin County costs $128,600 and carries an estimated annual property tax of $2,418. With mortgage-related exemptions, some homeowners pay closer to $2,134, while others may pay $2,780.

Your assessment may be too high

Many homeowners in Franklin County are paying more than they should due to inaccurate assessments. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if your home's value has declined is a straightforward way to reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin County's rental sweet spot

Franklin County residents spend just 15.4% of their income on rent, well below the national norm and even better than New York's state average of 17.6%. With a median household income of $63,747 and median rent of $819 monthly, the county offers genuine affordability for renters compared to most of America.

Among New York's most affordable

Franklin County ranks among the state's most livable counties on the housing affordability scale, significantly outperforming New York's median rent of $1,133. The county's $819 median rent and favorable rent-to-income ratio position it as an accessible option within a state where housing costs typically demand a larger share of household earnings.

Upstate advantage over neighbors

Franklin County's $819 rent undercuts nearby Fulton County ($883) and matches Hamilton County's value while costing substantially less than Greene County ($993). When paired with Franklin's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio, the county emerges as the region's most balanced option for renters.

Rent and income align here

A Franklin County renter earning the median $63,747 annually spends $819 monthly on rent, leaving roughly 85% of income for other expenses. For homebuyers, the median monthly owner cost of $838 and median home value of $128,600 provide comparable affordability, making the county competitive across both rental and ownership markets.

Consider Franklin for affordability

If you're weighing upstate relocation, Franklin County delivers one of New York's best rent-to-income ratios at 15.4%, significantly undercutting state and national averages. The county's median home value of $128,600 and accessible rental market make it worth serious consideration for anyone prioritizing housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin income trails national median

Franklin County's median household income of $63,747 sits 14.7% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-earning tier across the U.S. This gap means households here earn roughly $11,000 less annually than the typical American family.

Ranked 53rd among New York counties

Within New York State, Franklin County ranks 53rd out of 62 counties for median household income, falling $12,686 short of the state average of $76,433. The county's per capita income of $31,801 also trails the state average of $41,133 by nearly 23%.

Below regional income peers

Compared to neighboring upstate counties, Franklin's $63,747 median lags behind Genesee County ($72,055) by $8,308 and Hamilton County ($68,950) by $5,203. The county ranks among the lowest earners in its North Country region.

Housing costs remain manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.4%, Franklin County households spend well below the national affordability threshold of 30%, suggesting rental housing is accessible relative to earnings. The median home value of $128,600 aligns with regional affordability, requiring roughly 2 years of median household income to purchase.

Build financial stability here

Franklin County's lower housing costs create an opportunity: households can allocate savings toward retirement accounts, emergency funds, and investments that build long-term wealth. Starting an employer 401(k) or IRA now compounds significantly over time, even with modest starting contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin County's life expectancy slightly trails nation

At 77.3 years, Franklin County residents live about 0.9 years less than the U.S. average of 78.2 years. The county's 18.1% poor or fair health rate is above the national median, suggesting more residents experience chronic health challenges.

Slightly below New York state average

Franklin County's 77.3-year life expectancy is 0.6 years below New York's 77.9-year state average. This ranks the county in the middle band of New York's 62 counties for longevity.

Competitive with peers in upstate region

Franklin County's 77.3-year life expectancy matches Jefferson County but trails Hamilton County's 78.4 years and slightly exceeds Fulton County's 75.0 years. The county's primary care provider rate of 53 per 100K is the strongest among its immediate neighbors.

Insurance access and provider availability

Franklin County's 6.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 5.3%, meaning about 1 in 16 residents lack coverage. The county offers 53 primary care providers and 353 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing decent access despite its rural character.

Find coverage that works for you

If you're among Franklin County's uninsured, the New York State of Health marketplace makes enrollment simple. Navigate to nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777 to explore plans and subsidies available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County's risk sits well below the nation

With a composite risk score of 48.85, Franklin County ranks as relatively low risk—significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. This score reflects moderate exposure to specific hazards like earthquakes and hurricanes, but substantially lower tornado and wildfire threats than many American communities.

Among New York's safer upstate counties

Franklin County's 48.85 score places it well below New York's state average of 69.42, ranking it among the lower-risk counties in the state. Only a handful of New York counties present fewer natural disaster risks than Franklin County does.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Franklin County outperforms its regional peers: it scores lower than Hamilton County's 15.11 (the state's safest), but significantly better than Fulton County (48.63) and Genesee County (56.11). The county's earthquake risk of 79.20 is notably higher than neighbors, reflecting its location near seismic zones.

Watch for earthquakes and hurricanes

Earthquake risk dominates Franklin County's hazard profile at 79.20, while hurricane risk ranks second at 57.74—both reflecting the county's northern location and geological setting. Flooding poses moderate concern at 67.14, particularly during spring snowmelt and heavy rain events, though tornado risk remains quite low at 18.92.

Secure earthquake and flood coverage now

Franklin County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 79.20 risk score—a protection most standard homeowner policies exclude. Adding flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is equally critical, especially for properties in flood-prone areas, since 67.14% exposure suggests significant seasonal vulnerability.

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.