Grays Harbor County's composite score of 69.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 38%, ranking it well above typical U.S. county livability. It performs solidly in national comparison.
2 / 5
Just above Washington average
Grays Harbor County scores 69.2 against Washington's state average of 68.1, placing it slightly above the middle among the state's counties. It ranks in the mid-to-upper tier statewide.
3 / 5
Decent tax environment and costs
Grays Harbor County provides a tax score of 77.7 with effective rate of 0.873% and cost score of 73.8, featuring median rent of $1,018/month and median home value of $279,500. Housing remains reasonably affordable for a coastal Washington county.
4 / 5
Modest income and earning potential
The income score of 24.9 reflects median household income of $63,539, noticeably below state levels and indicating limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, hindering a complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Gateway for coastal living seekers
Grays Harbor County attracts those wanting Pacific coastal access without extreme price tags, trading high incomes for lifestyle and moderate affordability. It suits families or individuals drawn to working-class coastal communities with heritage and character.
Grays Harbor County's composite score of 69.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 38%, ranking it well above typical U.S. county livability. It performs solidly in national comparison.
Just above Washington average
Grays Harbor County scores 69.2 against Washington's state average of 68.1, placing it slightly above the middle among the state's counties. It ranks in the mid-to-upper tier statewide.
Decent tax environment and costs
Grays Harbor County provides a tax score of 77.7 with effective rate of 0.873% and cost score of 73.8, featuring median rent of $1,018/month and median home value of $279,500. Housing remains reasonably affordable for a coastal Washington county.
Modest income and earning potential
The income score of 24.9 reflects median household income of $63,539, noticeably below state levels and indicating limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, hindering a complete livability picture.
Gateway for coastal living seekers
Grays Harbor County attracts those wanting Pacific coastal access without extreme price tags, trading high incomes for lifestyle and moderate affordability. It suits families or individuals drawn to working-class coastal communities with heritage and character.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Grays Harbor County's effective tax rate of 0.873% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.67%, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. At $2,441 in median annual property taxes, homeowners pay above the national median despite a home value near the national average of $281,900.
Washington's most expensive tax county
Grays Harbor County ranks 38th (second-highest) among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.873%, far above the state average of 0.761%. Its median tax of $2,441 is among the state's highest, driven by the region's most aggressive effective tax rate.
Grays Harbor leads region in tax burden
Grays Harbor County's 0.873% effective rate is the highest among the eight counties analyzed—exceeding even Grant County's 0.823%. Despite a median home value of $279,500, homeowners here face the region's steepest effective tax rates.
Highest regional tax bill: $2,441 annually
A homeowner with Grays Harbor's median-valued property of $279,500 pays approximately $2,441 in annual property taxes. With mortgage deductions, the bill reaches $2,609, while outright owners pay $2,202—amounts higher than most comparable regional counties.
High-tax homeowners especially should appeal
Grays Harbor residents facing the region's highest effective rates should prioritize reviewing their property assessments for potential errors. An appeal challenging an inflated assessment could yield substantial annual savings given the county's elevated tax rate.
Grays Harbor County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% exceeds the national average of roughly 28–30% for renters, though it remains in reasonable territory. With a median household income of $63,539 and $1,018 monthly rent, the county's coastal location carries modest affordability pressure.
Slightly tighter than Washington average
Grays Harbor County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% sits just above Washington's state average of 18.8%, making it a marginally less affordable option than many peers. The coastal location and tourism economy influence both housing costs and wage patterns.
Pricier than inland, cheaper than islands
Grays Harbor's $1,018 rent falls between the inland bargains of Ferry ($703) and the island premiums of Island County ($1,631). Its $279,500 median home value reflects coastal demand without the extreme pricing of wealthier western counties.
Similar burden for renters and owners
Renters pay $1,018 monthly while homeowners face $1,061—nearly identical costs that each consume roughly 19% of household income. This tight alignment suggests Grays Harbor offers balanced affordability regardless of housing choice.
Grays Harbor for coastal-living seekers
If Pacific coast living appeals to you and you can accept slightly higher housing costs, Grays Harbor County offers more accessibility than island or wealthy waterfront counties. Your income needs to stretch a bit further here, but ocean proximity may justify the modest premium.
Grays Harbor County's median household income of $63,539 falls $11,216 short of the national median of $74,755, a 15% gap. This reflects the economic challenges facing many timber and blue-collar dependent communities in coastal Washington.
Below Washington's state average
Grays Harbor County's $63,539 median income lags Washington's state average of $76,363 by about 17%, ranking it among the lower-income counties statewide. Its per capita income of $33,763 is also below the state average of $40,628.
Grays Harbor faces income pressures
Grays Harbor County's $63,539 median income is slightly above Garfield County ($62,411) but well below Grant County ($71,115) and Island County ($88,358). This positions the county as a lower-tier earner among its regional peers.
Rising housing costs squeeze budgets
Grays Harbor County has the highest rent-to-income ratio (19.2%) among the eight counties, signaling housing affordability pressure for renters. A median home value of $279,500 requires households to allocate significant income toward homeownership costs.
Address housing costs strategically
Grays Harbor households facing elevated housing burdens should explore first-time homebuyer programs and refinancing options to reduce costs. Working with a community development organization or financial advisor can identify local resources to improve long-term financial stability.
At 74.6 years, Grays Harbor County residents live 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 77.8 years, placing the county among the nation's lower life expectancy counties. While 18.8% report poor or fair health—close to the national average—the shortened lifespan reflects deeper health equity challenges.
Lowest life expectancy in Washington
Grays Harbor County's 74.6-year life expectancy is 3.5 years below Washington's average of 78.1 years, tying it as one of the state's most severe longevity challenges. The 18.8% poor/fair health rate, while below the state average, underscores persistent health vulnerabilities in the county.
Severe health disparities in the harbor region
Grays Harbor County's 74.6-year life expectancy is substantially lower than nearby healthier counties like Jefferson County (80.1 years) and Island County (80.8 years), with only Ferry County (73.5 years) performing worse. The county's 18.8% poor/fair health rate is better than its neighbors Ferry County (21.4%) and Franklin County (24.4%), suggesting complex, multi-faceted health challenges.
Uninsured rate, limited primary care
Grays Harbor County's 9.9% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average of 9.0%, while primary care access is constrained with 36 providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health providers are surprisingly abundant at 503 per 100,000, but the primary care shortage and near-average uninsured rate may limit preventive care that could extend lifespans.
Insurance and care are within reach
Nearly 10% of Grays Harbor County residents go uninsured, and with primary care providers already stretched, having coverage is essential to accessing preventive care. The Washington Health Plan Finder can help you find an affordable plan and connect with the primary care needed to improve health outcomes.
Grays Harbor County scores 96.98 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and far exceeding Washington's state average of 70.01. The county faces some of the highest natural disaster risk in the Pacific Northwest, driven by coastal location and seismic exposure.
Where Grays Harbor Ranks in Washington
Grays Harbor County ranks among the highest-risk counties in Washington for natural disasters, with a score of 96.98 that places it near the top statewide. Only a handful of Washington counties face comparable cumulative hazard exposure.
Compared to Your Neighbors
Grays Harbor County's risk (96.98) significantly exceeds all neighboring counties, including Island (77.99), Jefferson (64.38), and inland peers. The county's coastal position creates exceptional exposure to both earthquake (98.12) and flood (99.00) hazards.
Your Top Threats: Flood and Earthquake
Flood risk reaches near-maximum at 99.00, reflecting the county's estuarine geography, tidal influence, and storm surge vulnerability from Pacific weather systems. Earthquake exposure at 98.12 is among the nation's highest due to the Cascadia Subduction Zone, while wildfire risk is relatively modest at 33.91.
Flood and Earthquake Insurance Critical
Grays Harbor County residents must prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially in coastal and low-lying areas, and secure earthquake coverage. Ensure structures are elevated or flood-proofed, and retrofit older homes to seismic standards where feasible.