CountyScore

Garrett County

Maryland · MD

#1 in Maryland
74.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Garrett County, Maryland

Maryland's most livable county nationwide

Garrett County's composite score of 74.8 places it in the 90th percentile nationally, crushing the median of 50.0. Few American counties match Garrett's overall livability.

Best in Maryland by far

With a score of 74.8, Garrett County ranks first among all 24 Maryland counties, well ahead of the state average of 63.9. It is the gold standard for livability in Maryland.

Unmatched affordability and low risk

Garrett County excels across multiple affordability metrics: a cost score of 82.5, median homes at just $217,000, and rents at $710 monthly. The risk score of 84.0 (highest in this group) reflects strong property and financial stability, while taxes are minimal at 0.826% effective rate.

Limited income opportunities exist here

The income score of 28.4 and median household earnings of $69,031 significantly lag state and national averages. Job and wage growth remain constrained in this rural mountain county.

Best for self-sufficient or remote-work families

Garrett County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, and families with independent income who want to maximize housing security and minimize taxes. If you can earn elsewhere and value authentic small-town living with rock-bottom housing costs and exceptional stability, Garrett is unbeatable in Maryland.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79Cost82.5SafetyComing SoonHealth72.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.4Risk84WaterComing Soon
🏛79
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84
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 Garrett County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleveland County
Arkansas
74.8
Median income: $50,509
Decatur County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $74,228
Steuben County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $71,483
Wallace County
Kansas
74.8
Median income: $60,263
Holt County
Missouri
74.8
Median income: $58,516

Deep Dives

Garrett County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Garrett County

via TaxByCounty

Garrett County offers Maryland's lowest tax rate

At 0.826%, Garrett County's effective property tax rate sits below the national median of 0.84%, making it one of the nation's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax bill of $1,792 is 33% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower rates and more modest property values.

Lowest effective rate in Maryland

Garrett County's 0.826% effective tax rate is the lowest among Maryland's 24 counties, significantly below the state average of 0.957%. Its median tax bill of $1,792 is 46% below the state median of $3,328, offering substantial savings to homeowners.

Substantially lower than Appalachian neighbors

Garrett County's 0.826% rate undercuts Allegany County and all surrounding jurisdictions, delivering the region's most affordable property tax burden. Homeowners here pay roughly $1,600 less annually than comparable Frederick County properties.

Expected annual tax on median home

A home valued at Garrett County's median of $217,000 will generate approximately $1,792 in annual property taxes at the 0.826% effective rate. With a mortgage, that estimate rises to $2,016; without one, it drops to $1,483.

You may be paying too much

Even in low-tax counties, assessment disputes arise when values don't reflect local market conditions. Garrett County homeowners should verify their assessment against recent comparable sales and file an appeal if their property appears overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Garrett County

via CostByCounty

Garrett County: Maryland's affordability champion

Garrett County residents spend just 12.3% of income on rent—dramatically below the national average and the lowest ratio among all Maryland counties profiled here. At $710 monthly, Garrett rents are less than half the national typical rent, making it exceptionally accessible even on the county's modest $69,031 median income.

Unmatched affordability in rural Maryland

Garrett's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio crushes Maryland's state average of 18.3%, delivering the deepest housing affordability cushion in the state. The county's $710 median rent stands 49.8% below Maryland's state average, making Garrett a hidden gem for budget-conscious renters.

West Maryland's budget sanctuary

Garrett County's $710 median rent undercuts even rural Dorchester ($959) by 26%, while its 12.3% ratio beats every other county profiled. This mountain county offers genuine affordability that reflects lower regional demand and a smaller economic footprint than areas closer to Baltimore and D.C.

Housing becomes truly optional burden

Renters pay just $710 monthly while homeowners spend $874—remarkably low costs on the $69,031 median income, consuming only 12-15% of earnings. This leaves 70%+ of household income available for savings, healthcare, education, and other priorities.

Garrett offers unbeatable housing math

If affordability is your primary concern, Garrett County delivers the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Maryland at 12.3%—nearly half the state average. Remote workers and retirees should compare Garrett's 12.3% against Charles County's 18.9% to understand your potential savings in real dollars.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garrett County

via IncomeByCounty

Garrett County incomes below national average

Garrett County's median household income of $69,031 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $5,724. The county's rural, mountainous terrain and economy centered on tourism, forestry, and small business create a distinctive earnings landscape.

Lower-income county in Maryland

Garrett County ranks near the bottom of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions with a median household income $25,121 below the statewide average of $94,152. Limited high-wage employment sectors and distance from major job centers shape this income gap.

Mountain county economy contrasts with suburbs

Garrett County's $69,031 median trails neighboring Frederick County ($120,458) by over $51,000, reflecting the vast economic divide between rural Appalachian Maryland and suburban growth corridors. Even Dorchester County to the east ($60,495) earns less, making Garrett County's broader economic base relatively resilient.

Lowest rent burden in the state

Garrett County boasts Maryland's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.3%, well below the 30% affordability threshold and the state average. This affordability advantage, paired with modest median home values of $217,000, makes homeownership accessible for many residents.

Affordability creates savings opportunity

Garrett County's low cost of living, especially for housing, frees up household budgets for savings and investing. Residents should capitalize on this advantage by building emergency funds and long-term investment accounts despite modest absolute incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Garrett County

via HealthByCounty

Garrett County health outcomes lag US averages

At 76.8 years, Garrett County residents live roughly two years shorter than the US average of 78.8 years. The county's 16.6% poor or fair health rate slightly exceeds the national average of 15.7%.

Garrett County ranks below Maryland state average

Garrett County's 76.8-year life expectancy falls short of Maryland's 77.0-year state average by a small margin. The county sits in the lower half of Maryland health rankings.

Mountain county faces regional health challenges

Garrett County's 76.8 years trails Frederick County's 80.0 years by more than three years. As Maryland's westernmost county, Garrett lags most neighboring regions in life expectancy.

Uninsured rate among state's highest; moderate provider access

At 8.4%, Garrett County has the state's highest uninsured rate, exceeding the Maryland average of 6.4% by two percentage points. With 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access is moderate but below state levels.

One in 12 Garrett residents lack health coverage.

If you're among the uninsured, affordable plans await at marylandhealthconnection.gov. Call 1-855-642-8572 to explore options and connect with local health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garrett County

via RiskByCounty

Garrett County Ranks Among America's Safest

Garrett County scores just 16.00 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the safest counties nationally and far below the national median. This exceptionally low risk reflects reduced exposure to most major hazard types, with all scores falling well below national norms. Even the county's highest risk—hurricane at 63.83—remains moderate compared to the national average.

Maryland's Safest County Overall

Garrett County ranks as Maryland's safest jurisdiction with a composite score of 16.00, dramatically below the state average of 60.22 and substantially safer than every other Maryland county. Only Garrett and Kent County present very low risk ratings statewide. This exceptional safety profile makes Garrett County one of the most disaster-resilient regions in Maryland.

Safer Than All Regional Peers

Garrett County's composite score of 16.00 is substantially lower than Allegany County and every other surrounding jurisdiction in the region. Frederick County (74.20) and Washington County present dramatically higher risk profiles. Garrett's mountain geography and inland location insulate it from coastal hazards that plague eastern Maryland counties.

Hurricane Risk Only Notable Concern

Garrett County's sole significant hazard is hurricane risk at 63.83, which still remains moderate relative to coastal Maryland counties. Earthquake risk (32.44), flood risk (34.70), and wildfire risk (31.93) all present minimal exposure, while tornado risk is exceptionally low at 21.21. Overall, Garrett residents face one of the nation's most favorable natural disaster profiles.

Standard Coverage Meets Your Needs

Garrett County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides sufficient protection for most residents. Consider adding hurricane coverage as a precautionary measure given the county's 63.83 hurricane risk, though catastrophic storms remain unlikely. Earthquake and flood riders are optional unless your property lies in an unusual microgeographic exposure zone.

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.