countyscore
41
County Score
Income & Jobs 70.8Health 67.9Property Tax 56.1

County Report Card

About Inyo County, California

Inyo matches national livability baseline exactly

Inyo County's composite score of 41.0 falls 9 points below the national median of 50.0, placing it just below average nationally. The score reflects a balanced profile with modest strengths offset by notable challenges in certain dimensions.

Virtually indistinguishable from state average performance

Inyo's score of 41.0 nearly equals California's state average of 40.9, positioning it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. The county represents a typical California livability experience.

Mountain living with decent income and health

Inyo residents enjoy a median household income of $72,432 (income score: 72.3) and strong health outcomes (67.9), supported by a reasonable tax rate of 0.707%. The county also offers relatively affordable housing (cost score: 24.2) compared to state averages.

Water scarcity and safety concerns emerge

Inyo's water score of just 27.5 reflects genuine aridification concerns in this high-desert county, a critical long-term livability challenge. Safety also registers low at 13.1, and schools score modestly at 53.1, limiting educational options.

Outdoor enthusiasts tolerating isolation trade-offs

Inyo County appeals to outdoor-focused residents and retirees seeking mountain scenery and decent incomes, willing to accept water scarcity and limited community amenities. It is less suitable for families prioritizing schools, public safety, or urban services.

2040608010056.128.913.167.953.170.820.727.527.1Tax56.1Cost28.9Safety13.1Health67.9Schools53.1Income70.8Risk20.7Water27.5Weather27.141/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Inyo County DNA

Foverall

How Inyo County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Inyo County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (70.8/100) but notably weak in Safety (13.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
56.1
Cost
28.9-19.1
Safety
13.1-41.9
Health
67.9+17.900000000000006
Schools
53.1
Income
70.8+19.799999999999997
Risk
20.7-26.3
Water
27.5-30.5
Weather
27.1-28.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Inyo County

Whether buying or refinancing in Inyo County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$348,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,189/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$348,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,991/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Tulare County
California
35.2
Esmeralda County
Nevada
62.8
Nye County
Nevada
35.1
Kern County
California
27.8
Fresno County
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32.7
Kings County
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37.7
Madera County
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35
Mono County
California
40.2

Deep Dives

Inyo County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Inyo County

via TaxByCounty

Inyo's tax rate mirrors California's average

Inyo County's effective tax rate of 0.707% virtually matches California's 0.714% average, placing it squarely in the middle nationally. The median property tax of $2,392 falls slightly below the national median of $2,690, reflecting moderately valued regional properties.

Inyo ranks near California's median tax burden

At 0.707%, Inyo County sits almost exactly at the state average, making it representative of typical California tax burdens. Its median property tax of $2,392 is substantially below the state average of $4,045, due to lower median home values of $338,400.

Inyo offers moderate rates among mountain counties

Inyo's 0.707% rate falls between Glenn County's lower 0.647% and Fresno County's 0.746%, offering a middle ground for mountain and foothill residents. The county provides reasonable tax stability compared to both lower-tax and higher-tax regional neighbors.

Inyo homeowners pay approximately $2,392 yearly

A median Inyo County home valued at $338,400 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of $2,392. With a mortgage, expect $2,947; without one, approximately $1,866.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Like all California counties, Inyo homeowners should verify their assessed value matches recent comparable sales in their neighborhood. A free appeal to the assessor costs nothing and could result in meaningful tax relief if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Inyo County

via IncomeByCounty

Inyo household income slightly trails nation

Inyo County's median household income of $72,432 runs 3.1% below the national median of $74,755. The county's small population and tourism-dependent economy create income variability across the region.

Below California's state income average

At $72,432, Inyo's median household income trails California's state average of $87,001 by approximately $14,600. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among California's 58 counties.

Inyo moderately outearns Central Valley peers

Inyo County ($72,432) exceeds Fresno ($71,434) and Glenn ($70,487) but falls well short of El Dorado ($106,190). The county's tourism economy provides moderate incomes compared to agricultural-based neighboring counties.

Housing costs remain manageable

With an 18.9% rent-to-income ratio, Inyo households maintain reasonable housing cost burdens relative to earnings. The median home value of $338,400 aligns with the county's income levels, supporting housing accessibility.

Leverage tourism economy for growth

Inyo's tourism-driven economy creates seasonal income opportunities that residents can strategically supplement with savings and investment. Develop a budget that smooths seasonal earnings swings and explore local business opportunities tied to outdoor recreation and hospitality.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Inyo County

via CrimeByCounty

Inyo County Faces Notable Safety Challenges

Inyo County carries a safety score of 96.0, indicating moderate safety compared to the rest of the nation. Its total crime rate of 2,512.1 per 100,000 slightly exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Aligning With State Safety Norms

The county’s safety score is very close to the California average of 96.3. Law enforcement data comes from four reporting agencies across this geographically vast region.

Inyo Compared to Similar Counties

While its total crime rate is higher than Glenn County’s 1,832.0, it remains safer than Fresno’s 3,521.6. Inyo sits in the middle of California's safety spectrum.

High Violent Crime vs Property Stats

Violent crime is notably high at 679.8 per 100,000, almost double the national average. Property crime also contributes significantly with 1,832.3 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Prioritizing Personal and Home Safety

Given the higher violent crime rate, personal and home security are paramount for residents. Investing in alarm systems and well-lit entryways can help mitigate local risks.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Inyo County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry and Warm High Desert

Inyo County’s 66.6°F annual average reflects a high-desert climate that is much warmer than the national median. With only 7.7 inches of rain, it is significantly drier than the average American county.

Above the California Median

The county averages 66.6°F, placing it well above the California state average of 58.7°F. This heat is driven by the extreme conditions of Death Valley, which sits within the county borders.

Hotter Than the High Sierras

Inyo is much hotter than neighboring Mono County to the north, which sits at higher Sierra elevations. It shares a dry, rugged basin profile with San Bernardino County to the south.

Long Hot Seasons, Cool Winters

Summer temperatures average 86.8°F with 142 days hitting 90°F or higher. Despite the heat, winters are cool at 47.3°F, and the valley floor typically sees no snowfall.

Plan for Arid Conditions

Residents must prepare for long stretches of triple-digit heat and intense solar exposure. High-performance HVAC and desert-hardy landscaping are essential for managing the 7.7 inches of annual moisture and 142 extreme heat days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Inyo County

via SoilByCounty

High Desert Earth Profiles

Inyo County’s soil pH and taxonomic orders are currently unrecorded in this dataset. Without this information, comparisons to the 6.34 California pH average are not possible. High desert soils can vary from extremely alkaline to neutral depending on the local basin.

Texture Data Unavailable

Percentages for sand, silt, and clay are missing for this vast eastern California region. Texture affects everything from how much water you use to which plants will thrive. Local gardeners should test their soil to see if it is mostly sand or heavy clay.

Arid Land Fertility

There is no available data for organic matter or water capacity in Inyo County. These numbers are typically lower in arid regions than the 3.30% state organic matter average. Adding organic amendments is almost always necessary for a successful vegetable garden here.

Mountain and Valley Drainage

Drainage and hydrologic classifications are not provided for this diverse landscape. Inyo's extreme elevation changes mean drainage can vary from excessive to very poor. Observation is your best tool for understanding how water moves across your property.

Gardening the High Desert

Hardiness Zone 9a is perfect for hardy fruit trees and native drought-tolerant plants. You can grow a surprising variety of crops if you protect them from the wind and sun. Pick a sunny spot and start building your desert soil today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Inyo County

via LawnByCounty

Inyo's Intense Growing Environment

Inyo County has a lawn difficulty score of just 7.5, making it the most challenging county in this group to maintain turf. Located in Hardiness Zone 9a, the environmental conditions are significantly harsher than the national median of 50.0.

A High-Desert Climate Profile

The county sees 142 extreme heat days and only 7.7 inches of annual precipitation, creating a massive water deficit for lawns. This high-heat environment generates 6,761 growing degree days, requiring constant attention and watering.

The Foundation for Desert Turf

Specific soil data is missing for this area, but high-desert soils are frequently alkaline and low in organic matter. You should test your soil for pH levels to ensure they don't block essential nutrient absorption for your grass.

Long Stretches of Dry Weather

Inyo experienced 39 weeks of drought over the past year, which is the highest in this region. Water conservation is not just a tip here; it is a necessity for maintaining any level of greenery in the landscape.

Strategic Planting for Inyo

Select the most heat-hardy Bermuda varieties available to survive the intense July average of 89.5°F. Plant your seeds or sod after the March 31 frost to give the lawn time to take root before the first fall frost on November 9.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inyo County's county score?
Inyo County, California has a composite county score of 41 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Inyo County rank among counties in California?
Inyo County ranks #28 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Inyo County, California?
The median annual property tax in Inyo County is $2,576, with an effective tax rate of 0.74%. This earns Inyo County a tax score of 56.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Inyo County?
The median household income in Inyo County, California is $73,991 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Inyo County earns an income score of 70.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Inyo County, California a good place to live?
Inyo County scores 41/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #28 in California. The best way to evaluate Inyo County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Inyo County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.