CountyScore

Grand County

Utah · UT

#8 in Utah
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Grand County, Utah

Grand exceeds national livability median

Grand County's composite score of 75.5 places it in the 51st percentile nationally, outpacing the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates balanced strength across multiple dimensions, particularly in risk mitigation and tax efficiency.

Above Utah state average

At 75.5, Grand County scores above Utah's 72.1 state average, ranking solidly in the upper portion of the state's counties. Consistent performance across affordability, health, and safety indicators sets it apart.

Low taxes and exceptional low-risk profile

Grand County's Tax Score of 90.5 (effective rate 0.418%) and Risk Score of 89.8 are its standouts, indicating minimal financial and environmental hazards. The county offers a stable, low-stress environment with light tax obligations.

Income lags, housing costs rising

The Income Score of 24.2 and median household income of $62,521 are below state norms, limiting wealth-building potential. Housing affordability, while decent at a Cost Score of 77.2, faces headwinds as median home values ($480,900) and rents ($1,021/month) climb.

Best for risk-averse, modest-income households

Grand County appeals to retirees, rural professionals, and families prioritizing safety and stability over income growth. Its low-risk profile and tax efficiency make it an attractive haven for those seeking predictability and peace of mind.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.5Cost77.2SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk89.8WaterComing Soon
🏛90.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.8
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 Grand County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Randolph County
Alabama
75.5
Median income: $51,551
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
Alaska
75.5
Median income: $62,500
Wells County
Indiana
75.5
Median income: $69,741
Lyon County
Iowa
75.5
Median income: $72,881
Lac qui Parle County
Minnesota
75.5
Median income: $71,639

Deep Dives

Grand County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grand County

via TaxByCounty

Grand County taxes slightly below national rate

Grand County's effective tax rate of 0.418% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.535%. The median property tax of $2,012 is still well short of the national median of $2,690, despite higher home values.

Middle of the pack in Utah

Grand County ranks near the middle of Utah counties with an effective rate of 0.418%, compared to the state average of 0.498%. The median tax bill of $2,012 exceeds the state median of $1,815, but only because homes here are significantly more valuable.

Comparable to Kane, lower than Millard

Grand County's 0.418% rate closely mirrors Kane County (0.419%) but remains below Millard County's 0.535%. Grand's higher median home value of $480,900 pushes the actual tax bill up, even at a favorable rate.

Median home pays $2,012 annually

A typical Grand County home valued at $480,900 generates an annual property tax of $2,012. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,050, while those without mortgages pay $1,965—a narrow margin.

Appeal overassessments to lower taxes

Many Grand County homeowners overpay due to inflated property assessments that don't reflect true market value. Filing an appeal is free and can permanently reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Grand County

via CostByCounty

Grand County rents strain household budgets

Grand County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% significantly exceeds the national average, meaning renters here dedicate a larger share of income to housing than typical U.S. households. At $1,021 per month against a median income of $62,521, rental affordability is tighter than the nation as a whole.

Among Utah's priciest rental markets

Grand County ranks as one of Utah's less affordable counties for renters, with a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average of 16.6%. This small county pays closer to state median rent levels ($1,101) despite below-average household incomes.

Expensive gateway to the Colorado Plateau

Grand County's $1,021 rent mirrors the state average and exceeds neighboring Garfield ($781) and Millard ($897), reflecting its status as a tourism and recreation hub. Homebuyers face steeper challenges here, with a median home value of $480,900—the highest among this group of counties.

Nearly one-fifth of income goes to rent

Renters spend 19.6% of their $62,521 income on housing ($1,021/month), while homeowners dedicate 15.9% to mortgage costs ($830/month). Grand County presents an unusual affordability gap where renting strains budgets more than owning, likely reflecting seasonal and tourism-driven dynamics.

Grand County demands higher housing budgets

Relocating to Grand County requires careful financial planning—expect to allocate nearly a fifth of household income to rent alone. Compare housing costs here to more affordable neighbors like Garfield and Millard before committing to the Moab area.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grand County

via IncomeByCounty

Grand County income lags nation

Grand County's median household income of $62,521 is 16.3% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower third of American counties. The county's strong per capita income of $41,443 suggests concentrated wealth among some residents.

Below Utah's middle tier

Grand's $62,521 median falls 22% short of Utah's $80,176 state average, ranking it in the lower half of the state's counties. The per capita income of $41,443 exceeds the state average of $35,055 by 18%, hinting at uneven income distribution.

Slight income advantage over Garfield

Grand County earns $62,521 versus Garfield's $61,688, making them near-peers in Utah's rural south. Both counties trail Kane County ($75,000) but significantly outpace Piute County ($44,650).

High housing costs squeeze budgets

Grand's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% is the highest among these eight counties, signaling real affordability strain for renters. The median home value of $480,900 is steep relative to household income, potentially locking out first-time buyers.

Optimize for high housing costs

With nearly one-fifth of income going to rent, Grand County residents should prioritize debt reduction and building equity through homeownership when possible. Exploring first-time homebuyer programs and down payment assistance can help bridge the gap to ownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Grand County

via HealthByCounty

Grand County leads nation in longevity

Grand County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 80.3 years, among the highest in the nation and well above the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Despite this advantage, 17.3% report poor or fair health, suggesting that high longevity coexists with chronic disease management challenges.

Utah's second-best life expectancy

Grand County ranks second in Utah for life expectancy at 80.3 years, nearly 2.5 years ahead of the state average of 77.9 years. This exceptional performance makes Grand one of Utah's healthiest counties and reflects strong community health practices.

Outshines surrounding counties by miles

Grand County's 80.3-year life expectancy far exceeds neighboring San Juan County and surpasses nearby Iron County (78.3 years) by two full years. Grand's residents also enjoy abundant healthcare providers—124 primary care and 330 mental health per 100K—the highest concentrations in the region.

Higher uninsured rate despite wealth of providers

Grand County's uninsured rate of 13.2% is the highest among Utah counties, outpacing the state average by 3 percentage points despite exceptional provider availability. This gap suggests that uninsured residents may face affordability barriers even in an area rich with medical professionals and mental health specialists.

Maximize Grand's healthcare advantage

Grand County's world-class provider network is undermined if one in eight residents can't access it due to lack of insurance. Enrolling in coverage unlocks these exceptional health resources and protects against medical debt that threatens financial stability.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Grand County

via RiskByCounty

Grand County among the nation's lowest-risk areas

Grand County's composite risk score of 10.27 places it squarely in the Very Low category, well below the national average and significantly below Utah's state average of 36.19. This remote, sparsely populated county experiences minimal aggregate disaster exposure.

Second-lowest risk county in Utah

Grand County ranks near the bottom of Utah's 29 counties for natural disaster risk, trailing only Piute County (0.89) in overall exposure. This exceptionally low positioning reflects its isolation and geographic setting in eastern Utah.

Safest in a diverse risk landscape

Grand County's 10.27 score makes it the safest in its region, surrounded by higher-risk neighbors: Garfield (37.63) to the south, Uintah County to the east, and Emery County to the west. Its low exposure contrasts sharply with Iron County's 61.42 in the southwestern corner of the state.

Wildfire the primary natural hazard

Wildfire risk scores 58.56 in Grand County, representing the county's most significant exposure to natural disaster. Flood risk (25.38) and earthquake risk (32.70) remain well below state averages, creating a relatively benign hazard profile overall.

Focus on wildfire preparedness primarily

While Grand County's overall risk is low, wildfire preparedness remains important given the county's landscape and geography. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers weather-related damage, though residents in rural areas should verify coverage limits and maintain defensible space around properties.

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.