countyscore
54.4
County Score
Safety 94.9Income & Jobs 81.7Health 79.9

County Report Card

About Kings County, New York

A National Leader

Kings County (Brooklyn) earns a composite score of 55.2, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This is a remarkably high score for one of the nation's most densely populated areas.

Leading the New York Pack

The county's 55.2 score sits well above the state average of 47.0. It outshines many other New York counties by offering a unique mix of high income and high safety scores.

Elite Safety and Prosperity

Kings surprises with a near-perfect safety score of 94.9 and a strong income score of 82.2. A surprisingly low 0.688% effective tax rate earns it a high tax score of 64.4.

Extreme Costs and Risks

The cost score of 2.0 reflects immense housing pressure, with median home values at $889,700. Additionally, the environmental risk score is a critical low at 0.7, while water data is currently unavailable.

The Successful Urbanite's Choice

Kings is the perfect match for high-earning professionals who prioritize urban safety and career growth over space. It suits those who can afford premium housing in exchange for a dynamic lifestyle.

2040608010059.72.294.979.941.481.70.771.3Tax59.7Cost2.2Safety94.9Health79.9Schools41.4Income81.7Risk0.7Water—Weather71.354.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Kings County DNA

Foverall

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

Kings County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (94.9/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (0.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.7
Cost
2.2-45.8
Safety
94.9+39.900000000000006
Health
79.9+29.900000000000006
Schools
41.4-12.600000000000001
Income
81.7+30.700000000000003
Risk
0.7-46.3
Weather
71.3+15.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Kings County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$905,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,833/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$905,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$73,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum11.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,263/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.6

per 100K

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

Hudson County
New Jersey
33.6
Richmond County
New York
46.7
Queens County
New York
41.1
New York County
New York
55.9
Essex County
New Jersey
33.5
Bronx County
New York
42
Union County
New Jersey
35.4
Bergen County
New Jersey
48.1

Deep Dives

Kings County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kings County

via TaxByCounty

Kings County's rate is exceptionally low

Kings County's effective tax rate of 0.688% ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, roughly one-third the U.S. median of 2.13%. However, this low rate masks substantial dollar amounts due to extraordinarily high home values.

New York's lowest effective rate

At 0.688%, Kings County has the lowest effective tax rate in New York, well below the state average of 2.046%. Yet Kings residents still pay more in absolute dollars due to homes valued at nearly $900,000 on average.

Rate advantage offset by home prices

Kings County's 0.688% rate is the lowest in the state and region; however, median home values of $889,700 are dramatically higher than Franklin County ($128,600) or Jefferson County ($181,000). The tax advantage is offset by the region's luxury real estate market.

Annual taxes average $6,120

Despite the lowest effective rate in New York, Kings County's median annual property tax is $6,120 due to sky-high home values. Homeowners pay between $5,952 and $6,393 annually, reflecting the county's ultra-premium real estate.

High-value properties deserve scrutiny

In Kings County's luxury market, assessment accuracy is critical—even small percentage errors translate to thousands in misdirected taxes. Request a detailed assessment review and consider professional appraisal if your property's valuation seems inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kings County

via IncomeByCounty

Kings income tops national average

Kings County's median household income of $78,548 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 5.1%, placing it among stronger-earning regions nationally. This $3,793 advantage reflects a dense, diverse urban economy with robust earning potential.

Top-tier New York county performer

Kings County ranks 6th of 62 New York counties for median household income, exceeding the state average of $76,433 by $2,115. Per capita income of $46,057 towers above the state average of $41,133 by 12%, indicating strong earnings concentration.

Clear earnings leader in the group

Kings County's $78,548 median dramatically outearns all seven comparison counties, exceeding Greene ($74,011) by $4,537 and Jefferson ($64,978) by $13,570. As Brooklyn, it represents the state's most economically robust county by far.

Income barely covers housing costs

Despite highest incomes, Kings County faces a rent-to-income ratio of 27.3%—approaching the 30% affordability threshold—due to median home values of $889,700. Households earn more but face housing costs that consume a larger share of earnings than anywhere else in the eight-county group.

Navigate wealth amid high costs

Kings County residents earning above-average incomes should resist lifestyle inflation driven by high housing costs and instead prioritize tax-advantaged investments, diversified portfolios, and long-term wealth strategies. Working with financial advisors on real estate investment strategies can help capture property appreciation while freeing capital for broader investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kings County

via CrimeByCounty

Kings County Reports Exceptionally Low Statistics

Kings County shows an anomalously low total crime rate of 0.7 per 100K, leading to a safety score of 100.0. However, this data comes from only one reporting agency and should be interpreted with significant caution. It does not reflect the standard national average of 2,385.5.

Data Divergence from State Averages

While the New York state average crime rate is 1,074.4, Kings County’s reported 0.7 is a statistical outlier. This suggests that comprehensive reporting for the entire county may be limited in the 2022 dataset. Residents should look to more localized city data for a complete picture.

A Unique Profile in the Region

Compared to nearby counties with more reporting agencies, Kings County’s numbers appear far lower than reality. Neighbors like Jefferson (1,228.7) show more typical reporting patterns for New York. The single-agency data here makes direct comparisons to neighbors difficult.

Reporting Gaps Mask Local Realities

The data reports zero violent crimes and only 0.7 property crimes per 100K. Because these numbers are so low for a major urban area, they likely represent incomplete reporting for the year. Practical safety requires looking beyond these specific 2022 figures.

Always Prioritize Your Personal Safety

Regardless of anomalous statistics, maintaining home security is essential in any urban environment. Use high-quality locks, alarm systems, and stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Reliable safety comes from preparation rather than relying on incomplete data sets.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kings County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and More Humid

Kings County (Brooklyn) is much warmer than the national median with a 55.5°F average annual temperature. Its coastal location provides a humid subtropical influence that keeps winters relatively mild.

Warmest Region in New York

Kings is one of the warmest counties in the state, averaging 55.5°F compared to the 47.4°F state average. It records far more extreme heat days and significantly less snow than upstate New York.

A Different Climate World

Kings is drastically warmer than northern counties like Herkimer (42.8°F) or Hamilton (41.0°F). While upstate neighbors deal with over 100 inches of snow, Kings receives only 24.5 inches.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

Summers are hot with a 77.5°F July average and 14 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Winters are the mildest in the state, averaging 36.1°F with relatively light snowfall.

Prioritize Cooling Systems

Invest in efficient air conditioning and heat mitigation for the 14 days of extreme summer heat. Heavy winter gear is rarely necessary as snowfall typically stays under 25 inches for the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kings County

via SoilByCounty

Extreme Acidity in Brooklyn's Soil

Kings County soil is very acidic with an average pH of 3.89, far below the national median of 6.5. This level is also significantly lower than the state average of 5.11. Such high acidity is a primary factor for urban gardeners to address through soil amendments.

Urban Sandy Mix with Low Clay

The soil contains 46.3% sand, 14.1% silt, and only 5.2% clay. This high sand content means the soil is likely to drain very quickly but may struggle to hold onto nutrients. The low clay percentage keeps the soil from compacting, which is a rare benefit in an urban environment.

Lower Water Capacity in an Urban Setting

Organic matter is 12.11%, which is lower than the state average of 17.01%. The available water capacity is also low at 0.103 in/in, compared to the state average of 0.182 in/in. These soils may require extra irrigation and organic additions to support thirsty garden plants.

Fast Drainage Challenges for City Soils

Official drainage and hydrologic data are not recorded for this urban county. However, the high sand content and low water capacity point to very rapid drainage. Urban gardeners should focus on improving water retention through mulching and regular watering.

Thriving in the Warmth of Zone 7b

Kings County enjoys a long, warm growing season in hardiness zone 7b. This allows for a wider range of plants, including those that would not survive further north. By adding compost and lime, you can turn this sandy soil into a thriving urban oasis.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kings County

via LawnByCounty

Urban Lawn Challenges in Brooklyn

Kings County has a lawn difficulty score of 54.0, making it more challenging than the state average of 61.1. While it is slightly easier than the national median, the local Hardiness Zone 7b environment brings unique urban heat and soil issues. Success here requires managing higher temperatures and acidic urban soils.

Long Growing Season and High Heat

Brooklyn experiences 14 extreme heat days per year, double the New York state average. However, the 47.1 inches of precipitation and a massive 3,780 growing degree days mean grass can grow for a much longer part of the year. This extended season starts in early April and lasts well into November.

High Acidity in Sandy Urban Soil

The soil pH in Kings County is very low at 3.89, requiring significant lime treatment to support healthy grass. The soil is 46.3% sand and only 5.2% clay, which leads to very fast drainage and potential nutrient runoff. Urban lawns here benefit greatly from regular organic fertilization to improve the soil's holding capacity.

Full Drought Exposure in the City

Currently, 100.0% of the county is abnormally dry, and it faced 25 weeks of drought conditions over the past year. In this sandy, high-heat environment, lawns can become parched and dormant very quickly without regular watering. Using a smart sprinkler system can help manage water use during these frequent dry periods.

Selecting Grass for Zone 7b

Tall Fescue is the best choice for Brooklyn because it handles the 14 heat days and sandy soil better than other cool-season grasses. Your planting window is broad, starting after the last frost on April 1 and lasting until the first frost on November 19. Seed in the fall to take advantage of the long, mild autumn temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kings County's county score?
Kings County, New York has a composite county score of 54.4 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 Kings County rank among counties in New York?
Kings County ranks #9 among all counties in New York 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 Kings County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Kings County is $6,382, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns Kings County a tax score of 59.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kings County?
The median household income in Kings County, New York is $80,263 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kings County earns an income score of 81.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kings County, New York a good place to live?
Kings County scores 54.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #9 in New York. The best way to evaluate Kings 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 Kings 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.