Juniata County's composite score of 71.7 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, ranking it among America's more livable mid-sized counties. This strong performance reflects balanced affordability and reasonable tax obligations across the board.
2 / 5
One of Pennsylvania's top performers
Juniata County's 71.7 score surpasses the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, earning it a place among the commonwealth's best counties for overall livability. It ranks among the highest in the state for this composite measure.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and affordable housing lead
Juniata County posts a Tax Score of 72.7 (the lowest effective tax rate at 1.050%) and a Cost Score of 82.5, with median home values of $206,300. These combined strengths make it one of Pennsylvania's most tax-efficient and affordable places to own property.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain modest
The Income Score of 25.1 and median household income of $63,923 suggest limited high-wage employment in the county. While still above some rural peers, wage growth may trail larger urban and suburban centers in the state.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious homebuyers
Juniata County appeals to families and retirees who prioritize owning affordable real estate in a low-tax environment over chasing higher incomes. If you want to build equity on a moderate salary with minimal tax drag, this county offers genuine opportunity.
Juniata County's composite score of 71.7 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, ranking it among America's more livable mid-sized counties. This strong performance reflects balanced affordability and reasonable tax obligations across the board.
One of Pennsylvania's top performers
Juniata County's 71.7 score surpasses the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, earning it a place among the commonwealth's best counties for overall livability. It ranks among the highest in the state for this composite measure.
Tax efficiency and affordable housing lead
Juniata County posts a Tax Score of 72.7 (the lowest effective tax rate at 1.050%) and a Cost Score of 82.5, with median home values of $206,300. These combined strengths make it one of Pennsylvania's most tax-efficient and affordable places to own property.
Income opportunities remain modest
The Income Score of 25.1 and median household income of $63,923 suggest limited high-wage employment in the county. While still above some rural peers, wage growth may trail larger urban and suburban centers in the state.
Ideal for cost-conscious homebuyers
Juniata County appeals to families and retirees who prioritize owning affordable real estate in a low-tax environment over chasing higher incomes. If you want to build equity on a moderate salary with minimal tax drag, this county offers genuine opportunity.
Score breakdown
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🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Juniata County's effective tax rate of 1.050% is among the nation's lowest, sitting 20% below the national average of 1.31%. Despite this low rate, the median property tax of $2,167 reflects higher home values in the county compared to some neighbors.
Number one tax relief in Pennsylvania
Juniata County boasts the lowest effective property tax rate among all 67 Pennsylvania counties at 1.050%, nearly 20% below the state average of 1.317%. This distinction makes it a standout destination for tax-conscious homebuyers.
Regional tax champion beats all rivals
Juniata's 1.050% rate undercuts Jefferson County (1.114%), Lackawanna County (1.532%), and Lancaster County (1.411%) by significant margins. Even with median home values of $206,300, Juniata delivers the region's most favorable tax treatment.
Median home costs $2,167 in annual taxes
A homeowner with Juniata County's median home value of $206,300 pays approximately $2,167 per year in property taxes at the 1.050% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,235; without one, it drops to $2,097.
Appeal assessments to lock in savings
Even in Pennsylvania's lowest-tax county, overassessments happen—and they compound over decades. If your home's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent sales of similar properties, an appeal to Juniata's assessor could yield immediate annual savings.
Juniata County renters dedicate just 13.7% of their $63,923 median household income to rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold and better than most U.S. counties. Even compared to the national median household income of $74,755, Juniata's rent-to-income ratio remains impressively lean.
Pennsylvania's affordability standout
At 13.7%, Juniata County's rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in Pennsylvania, significantly outperforming the state average of 16.5%. The county's median rent of $730 ranks it as one of the state's most budget-friendly rental markets.
Cheapest rents in the northeast cluster
Juniata's $730 median rent edges out Jefferson County ($746) and undercuts Lackawanna ($973) by $243 monthly, making it the regional affordability leader. Homebuyers also benefit: Juniata's median home value of $206,300 sits below nearby Lancaster County's $279,400, offering solid equity without premium pricing.
Income distribution in Juniata
A typical Juniata household earning $63,923 annually ($5,327 monthly) pays $730 in rent and $848 in ownership costs, freeing up nearly 75% of income for other expenses. This healthy margin reflects both modest housing costs and stable local wages.
Juniata offers unbeatable rent value
Juniata County is Pennsylvania's hidden gem for renters and first-time buyers: $230 cheaper monthly rent than the state average and median homes under $210,000. Relocating here unlocks nearly $3,000 in annual rent savings while supporting a lower cost of living across the board.
Juniata County's median household income of $63,923 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $10,800, placing it in the bottom 40% nationally. Despite this gap, the county performs slightly better than many rural Pennsylvania peers.
Mid-range earner among state counties
Juniata's $63,923 median falls $5,691 below Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, ranking the county in the lower half statewide. Still, it outperforms six of the eight counties in this regional comparison.
Strong home values despite moderate income
Juniata households earn modestly but support median home values of $206,300—the highest in this comparison relative to income. The county's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio is the region's lowest, reflecting both lower rents and healthy wage-to-rent balance.
Housing costs well-managed for renters
At 13.7% of household income, Juniata's rent burden is the most favorable in the region, well below the 30% affordability threshold. However, home ownership still requires dual incomes or significant down payments given the median value-to-income ratio.
Low rent frees money for investment
Juniata's efficient rent-to-income ratio creates genuine opportunity to redirect savings toward wealth-building vehicles like stock index funds or real estate equity. Households saving an extra $200–300 monthly can accumulate substantial retirement assets over three decades.
Life expectancy significantly below national standard
Juniata County residents average 75.9 years of life, lagging the U.S. average by about 3.4 years. Nearly one in five people (19.5%) experience poor or fair health, suggesting underlying chronic disease burdens in this rural community.
Among Pennsylvania's most underserved counties
Juniata County's 75.9-year life expectancy falls below the state average of 76.4 years, and its 11.6% uninsured rate ranks among the highest in Pennsylvania—65% above the state average. This combination signals acute healthcare access barriers.
Highest uninsured rate in the region
At 11.6% uninsured, Juniata County faces the most significant coverage gap among its peers, compared to 5.8% in Lackawanna County and 8.5% in Jefferson County. The county's severe provider shortage—just 17 primary care doctors per 100K—ranks it last in the region for healthcare access.
With only 17 primary care providers and 22 mental health specialists per 100K population, Juniata County residents face acute provider shortages that force many to travel significant distances for care. The combination of rural isolation and limited insurance coverage creates a perfect storm for preventable health problems.
Take action: Open enrollment closes January 31
Juniata County's high uninsured rate makes enrollment urgent—11.6% of residents lack coverage. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-318-2596, or connect with a local navigator through Pennsylvania's resources to find affordable plans before the deadline.
Juniata County's composite risk score of 38.80 earns a "Very Low" rating—the safest category. This score is significantly below Pennsylvania's 67.45 average and puts Juniata among the lowest-risk counties in the nation.
Pennsylvania's lowest-risk county
With a composite score of 38.80, Juniata ranks as the safest or near-safest county in Pennsylvania for natural disaster risk. This reflects relatively low exposure to flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other major hazards across the region.
Safer than surrounding counties
Juniata's 38.80 score is substantially lower than Perry County (48.90) and Mifflin County (52.30), making it a notably safer region. Even when compared to the state average of 67.45, Juniata residents enjoy significantly reduced disaster exposure.
Hurricane and flood risks dominate
Juniata's most elevated hazards are hurricane risk (76.72) and flood risk (60.27), though these remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado, earthquake, and wildfire risks are all well below 40, indicating that major multi-hazard events are relatively unlikely.
Basic flood preparedness covers most needs
While Juniata's overall risk is low, flood insurance is still wise given a 60.27 flood risk score and Pennsylvania's seasonal rainfall patterns. Focus on basic home maintenance—clean gutters, proper drainage, and a solid roof—to handle the county's modest hazard exposure.