CountyScore

Gulf County

Florida · FL

#16 in Florida
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Gulf County, Florida

Gulf ranks in top 32 percent nationally

Gulf County's composite score of 73.2 places it at the 87th percentile nationwide, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 46%. This strong national ranking demonstrates Gulf as a highly livable county by composite standards.

Gulf surpasses Florida's state average

With a score of 73.2, Gulf County exceeds Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks in the upper portion of Florida's 67 counties. This above-average standing reflects solid performance across measured dimensions.

Exceptional tax efficiency leads county

Gulf County excels with the lowest effective tax rate (0.566%) and tax score of 86.4, combined with strong housing affordability (74.8 cost score, $1,161 median rent, $235,700 median home value). These fiscal advantages make Gulf particularly attractive to tax-conscious residents.

Income levels remain below national expectations

Gulf's income score of 27.4 reflects a median household income of $67,361, representing the county's primary weakness relative to its other strengths. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable for comprehensive assessment.

Appeals to tax-conscious coastal families

Gulf County best suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and coastal living over high local employment income. The county's exceptional tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs create strong appeal for those with alternative income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost74.8SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.4Risk40.5WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.5
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 Gulf County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Gulf County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gulf County

via TaxByCounty

Gulf County taxes well below national norm

Gulf County's effective tax rate of 0.566% ranks among Florida's lowest and sits well below the national median. The median property tax of $1,334 is half the national median of $2,690, offering Gulf County homeowners exceptional affordability.

Among Florida's most affordable counties

Gulf ranks in Florida's bottom tier for property tax burden at just 0.566% effective rate, 22% below the state average of 0.731%. Its median property tax of $1,334 is 29% lower than the state median of $1,885.

Cheapest taxes in Big Bend and Panhandle

Gulf County's 0.566% rate ties with Franklin County's rate and beats Gilchrist, Hamilton, and Flagler counties significantly. For coastal property on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf County offers remarkably low tax rates compared to similar waterfront communities statewide.

Median home: $1,334 per year in taxes

A homeowner with a $235,700 median-valued home in Gulf County pays approximately $1,334 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill is $1,440; without one, it drops to $1,187.

Verify your assessment against market sales

Gulf County's low overall tax burden shouldn't discourage homeowners from checking if their assessed value aligns with recent comparable sales. Filing a Value Adjustment Board appeal could provide additional savings if your home's assessment exceeds current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gulf County

via CostByCounty

Gulf County balances affordability

Gulf County residents spend 20.7% of income on rent, comfortably below the national affordability standard and just below Florida's 22.5% state average. With a median household income of $67,361 and rent at $1,161, Gulf offers a moderate housing burden in a coastal setting.

Gulf near Florida average affordability

At 20.7%, Gulf's rent-to-income ratio sits just 1.8 percentage points below Florida's 22.5% state average, positioning it as an affordable coastal alternative. The $1,161 median rent falls $72 below the state median, reflecting Gulf's quieter, less-developed character compared to Florida's major markets.

Gulf's competitive rental market

Gulf's $1,161 rent undercuts Flagler ($1,687) by $526 but exceeds Franklin ($1,044) by $117, placing it in the middle tier of comparable counties. The $67,361 median income paired with moderate rent creates a balanced profile attractive to coastal relocators seeking affordability.

Gulf's sustainable housing balance

Renters spend $1,161 monthly from a $67,361 median income, consuming 20.7% of earnings and preserving substantial funds for other obligations. Homeowners encounter median monthly costs of $815 (14.5% of income), with median home values of $235,700 offering reasonable access to coastal property ownership.

Gulf County: coastal at a discount

Gulf County delivers Gulf Coast lifestyle at affordable rates, avoiding the premium pricing of Flagler while offering similar natural appeal. If you value coastal living without overextending your housing budget, Gulf County's modest rent and reasonable incomes make it a practical relocation target.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gulf County

via IncomeByCounty

Gulf County approaches national income average

Gulf County's median household income of $67,361 falls modestly below the national median of $74,755 by about $7,400. The county's per capita income of $38,258 exceeds the national average, suggesting more distributed earnings across household members despite lower overall household income.

Above-average earner in Florida

Gulf County's median household income of $67,361 exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by 2.9%, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier of Florida counties. The per capita income of $38,258 also surpasses the state average of $35,698, reflecting relatively stable earning power throughout the county.

Gulf leads peer group of rural counties

Gulf County's $67,361 median household income outpaces most nearby rural counties, including Franklin ($62,734) and Gilchrist ($61,070). The county's coastal and tourism-related economy provides more employment diversity than typical inland rural Florida communities, supporting higher average incomes.

Balanced housing affordability profile

Gulf County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.7% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating manageable housing costs for most households. With a median home value of $235,700, the county offers reasonable housing values relative to its income level.

Invest in long-term financial security

Gulf County's above-average income creates opportunities for meaningful retirement savings and investment portfolio building. Take advantage of employer benefits, explore homeownership equity-building, and consider diversifying income through side ventures in the county's growing tourism sector.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gulf County

via HealthByCounty

Gulf falls below U.S. life expectancy

Gulf County's 74.3-year life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 1.8 years. With 18.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county slightly exceeds the national average of 17.8%.

Below Florida's health baseline

Gulf's 74.3-year life expectancy trails Florida's state average of 75.8 years, and its 14.1% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 14.4%. The county's modest uninsured rate masks deeper life expectancy shortfalls.

Provider access supports regional standing

Gulf's 74.3-year life expectancy ranks below most neighbors but its 49 primary care providers per 100,000 is among the highest in this group. With 140 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers above-average behavioral health access relative to other rural areas.

Strong provider presence despite challenges

Gulf offers 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 140 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating decent infrastructure for a rural county. With only 14.1% uninsured, most residents have paths to care, though health outcomes suggest utilization or quality barriers.

Ensure your coverage is current

If you're among Gulf's 14.1% uninsured residents, now is the time to explore your options on healthcare.gov. With strong local providers available, insurance is your ticket to preventive care that could extend both lifespan and quality of life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gulf County

via RiskByCounty

Gulf County faces moderate-low risk

Gulf County's composite risk score of 59.54 sits below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The coastal location brings hurricane and flood exposure, but tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Below-average risk for coastal Florida

Gulf County's score of 59.54 falls notably below Florida's state average of 75.74, making it one of the safer coastal counties in the state. The Panhandle location provides some geographic buffering from peak hurricane tracks.

Safer than Panhandle peer Franklin

Gulf County's 59.54 score slightly exceeds Franklin County (46.53) while remaining well below Gadsden County (72.39), positioning it in the middle of the regional risk spectrum. Its small population and rural character contribute to the favorable profile.

Hurricanes and flood are primary threats

Hurricane risk of 93.41 is Gulf County's dominant hazard, paired with flood risk of 61.60 reflecting coastal and low-lying exposure. Wildfire risk of 74.20 adds a secondary threat, particularly in forested inland areas.

Secure comprehensive coastal insurance

Gulf residents must prioritize windstorm/hurricane coverage given the 93.41 risk score—essential for coastal and near-coastal properties. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for any property in mapped flood zones or near tidal waters.

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.