CountyScore

Garfield County

Utah · UT

#6 in Utah
76.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Garfield County, Utah

Garfield scores well above the nation

With a composite score of 76.1, Garfield County ranks in the 52nd percentile nationally—well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This means the county outperforms half the nation on overall livability, driven by exceptional affordability and low taxes.

Tops Utah average, middle of the pack

Garfield's 76.1 score edges past Utah's state average of 72.1, placing it in the upper tier of Utah counties. The county's strong performance reflects consistent gains across cost of living and tax burden metrics.

Tax haven with affordable housing

Garfield excels in two critical dimensions: a Tax Score of 91.6 (effective rate of just 0.38%) and a Cost Score of 84.2, with median home values at $285,800 and rent averaging $781/month. These low financial barriers make the county particularly attractive to families and retirees seeking affordability.

Income and health need attention

The county's Income Score of just 23.7 reflects a median household income of $61,688—below state and national standards for earning potential. Health outcomes (71.8) also trail peers, suggesting opportunities to strengthen medical services and preventive care.

Ideal for budget-conscious families

Garfield County is built for households prioritizing low costs and minimal tax burden over high earning potential. It suits retirees, remote workers, and families willing to trade income-growth opportunities for financial stability and affordable living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.6Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk62.4WaterComing Soon
🏛91.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.4
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 Garfield County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pope County
Illinois
76.1
Median income: $62,500
Switzerland County
Indiana
76.1
Median income: $65,148
Choctaw County
Mississippi
76.1
Median income: $48,321
Eddy County
North Dakota
76.1
Median income: $55,389
Sherman County
Oregon
76.1
Median income: $59,500

Deep Dives

Garfield County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Garfield County

via TaxByCounty

Garfield taxes well below national average

Garfield County's effective tax rate of 0.380% ranks among the lowest in the nation, sitting well below the national median of 0.535%. The median property tax bill here is just $1,087—less than 40% of the national median of $2,690.

Lowest property taxes in Utah

Garfield County has the lowest effective tax rate among all Utah counties at 0.380%, compared to the state average of 0.498%. Residents here pay roughly $728 less annually than the statewide median tax of $1,815.

Significantly lower than nearby Kane County

Garfield's 0.380% rate undercuts Kane County (0.419%) and Piute County (0.431%) by meaningful margins. While home values are comparable across the region, Garfield homeowners enjoy the steepest tax advantage.

Median home pays $1,087 annually

The typical Garfield County home valued at $285,800 carries an annual property tax of $1,087. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $1,176, but remains one of Utah's most affordable tax burdens.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Even in low-tax Garfield County, many homeowners are assessed above market value and don't realize they can appeal. A formal assessment challenge costs nothing and could reduce your bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Garfield County

via CostByCounty

Garfield rents beat national affordability

At 15.2%, Garfield County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national average, meaning renters here spend less of their paycheck on housing than typical Americans. With median rent at just $781 per month against a median household income of $61,688, this rural county offers genuine breathing room compared to costlier metros.

Most affordable rentals in Utah

Garfield County ranks among Utah's most affordable housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% compared to the state average of 16.6%. Median rents here are nearly $320 cheaper than Utah's state median, making it a standout value in the regional landscape.

Cheaper than Piute, pricier than Juab

Garfield's $781 rent sits between neighboring Piute County ($792) and the state average, but homeownership tells a different story—the median home value of $285,800 is lower than surrounding counties like Iron ($342,900) and Kane ($350,900). Renters have it easier here than buyers, relatively speaking.

Where your dollar goes in Garfield

Renters dedicate 15.2% of income to rent ($781/month), while homeowners commit 13.1% to mortgage costs ($673/month). Garfield residents retain more spending power than most Utah counties, with housing consuming a smaller slice of the typical household's $61,688 annual income.

Seeking rural Utah affordability?

If you're relocating to Utah and prioritize low housing costs, Garfield County's combination of cheap rent and modest home prices merits serious consideration. Compare it to neighboring Piute (tighter budgets) and Juab (higher incomes but also higher costs) to find your fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garfield County

via IncomeByCounty

Garfield trails the national norm

Garfield County's median household income of $61,688 falls 17.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower third nationally for household earnings, reflecting economic patterns common to rural mountain communities in the West.

Below average for Utah

Garfield's $61,688 median sits notably below Utah's state average of $80,176, putting it in the lower half of Utah's 29 counties. The county's per capita income of $31,935 also trails the state average of $35,055 by roughly 9%.

Similar to nearby rural counties

Garfield earns slightly less than Kane County ($75,000) and slightly more than Piute County ($44,650), reflecting the income diversity across Utah's rural south. Grand County ($62,521) and Iron County ($65,527) are Garfield's closest peers in this region.

Housing costs stay manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.2%, Garfield households spend well below the 30% affordability threshold, leaving room in budgets for other essentials. A median home value of $285,800 is accessible relative to the county's income level.

Build financial resilience here

Garfield's low housing cost burden means residents can redirect savings toward retirement accounts, emergency funds, and investments. Starting small with automatic transfers to a high-yield savings account or low-cost index fund compounds wealth over time, even on moderate incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Garfield County

via HealthByCounty

Garfield's life expectancy lags the nation

At 77.6 years, Garfield County residents live slightly shorter lives than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 16.1% poor or fair health rate mirrors national benchmarks, suggesting manageable chronic disease burden but room for improvement in preventive care.

Below average within Utah

Garfield ranks near the middle of Utah's 29 counties for life expectancy at 77.6 years, trailing the state average of 77.9 years by three months. The county's health outcomes place it in a neutral position statewide, neither excelling nor struggling compared to its neighbors.

Outperformed by nearby Iron County

Iron County's residents live 0.7 years longer than Garfield's, reaching 78.3 years, while Iron's poor health rate of 15.3% edges out Garfield's 16.1%. Both counties share similar healthcare infrastructure challenges, but Iron has slightly better primary care access with 33 providers per 100K versus Garfield's 39.

Insurance gaps and primary care limits

About 1 in 10 Garfield residents (10.7%) lack health insurance, slightly above Utah's average of 10.2%, while primary care is sparse at 39 providers per 100K. Mental health services are robust at 132 per 100K, but the primary care shortage may delay preventive screenings and early diagnosis of chronic conditions.

Check coverage options today

With one in ten residents uninsured, now is the time to explore health insurance through the state marketplace or employer plans. Coverage improves access to preventive care, reduces emergency room visits, and protects against catastrophic medical debt—investments that pay long-term dividends for Garfield's health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garfield County

via RiskByCounty

Garfield's risk slightly above national baseline

Garfield County scores 37.63 on the national composite risk scale, putting it in the Very Low category and just above Utah's state average of 36.19. This positioning reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards typical of rural southwestern Utah counties.

Mid-range risk among Utah counties

Among Utah's 29 counties, Garfield ranks in the middle tier for overall disaster risk. While its composite score exceeds the state average, several neighboring counties face significantly higher exposure to earthquakes and wildfires.

Comparable to Kane and slightly higher than Iron

Garfield's 37.63 score sits between Kane County (39.66) to the south and Grand County (10.27) to the north. Both Garfield and Kane face elevated wildfire and earthquake risks compared to their neighbors, though Iron County's 61.42 score signals notably higher overall exposure.

Wildfires and earthquakes dominate here

Wildfire risk scores 78.28—among the highest in the state—making brush fires the leading natural hazard threat in Garfield County. Earthquake risk registers at 64.09, well above the state average, presenting a secondary concern for homeowners and infrastructure.

Prioritize wildfire and quake coverage

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes wildfire and earthquake damage, leaving properties vulnerable to the county's top two risks. Residents should secure separate wildfire and earthquake riders or policies, and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce fire exposure.

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.