CountyScore

Kitsap County

Washington · WA

#34 in Washington
60.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Kitsap County, Washington

Kitsap outpaces national average livability

Kitsap County scores 60.4 out of 100, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 71st percentile nationally. This solid performance places Kitsap among the better counties for overall quality of life across the United States.

Close to Washington's competitive midpoint

Kitsap County scores slightly below Washington's state average of 68.1, reflecting a livability profile that's respectable but not among the state's highest achievers. It remains a viable option for those seeking balance within Washington.

Affordable housing and favorable tax climate

Kitsap County boasts a cost score of 48.9 with median home values around $505,700 and monthly rent at $1,741—significantly more accessible than many Washington peers. A tax score of 79.9 and 0.797% effective tax rate add to the county's economic appeal.

Income growth lags behind stronger counties

Kitsap County's income score of 47.7 reflects a median household income of $98,546, trailing higher-earning regions in Washington. Limited data on health, schools, and safety prevents a fuller livability picture.

Ideal for budget-conscious families seeking stability

Kitsap County appeals to middle-income families prioritizing affordable housing and reasonable taxes over maximum earning potential. The county offers practical livability for those balancing cost concerns with access to a stable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.9Cost48.9SafetyComing SoonHealth79.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome47.7Risk7.7WaterComing Soon
🏛79.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼47.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.7
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 Kitsap County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Imperial County
California
60.7
Median income: $56,393
Fulton County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $58,617
Iroquois County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $62,439
Reno County
Kansas
60.7
Median income: $60,498
Charles County
Maryland
60.7
Median income: $120,592

Deep Dives

Kitsap County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kitsap County

via TaxByCounty

Kitsap taxes exceed national median significantly

Kitsap County's effective tax rate of 0.797% surpasses the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $4,030 is 50% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest tax rate in Washington

Kitsap County ranks second among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.797%, just behind King County's 0.836%. This pushes residents above the statewide average of 0.761%.

Higher taxes than rural Washington counties

Kitsap County's 0.797% rate exceeds nearby Kittitas County (0.708%) and Mason County (0.751%) significantly. The Puget Sound location commands premium rates reflecting higher property values and urban service demands.

Median tax reaches $4,030 annually

Kitsap County's median home value of $505,700 translates to an annual tax bill of $4,030. Mortgaged properties average $3,978, while mortgage-free homes average $4,185.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Many Kitsap County homeowners discover their assessed values exceed market reality, especially after property sales data updates. A simple appeal can reduce your effective tax burden with no filing fee required.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kitsap County

via CostByCounty

Kitsap stretches income on rent

Kitsap County's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national average and Washington's state average, making it a tight squeeze for renters. At $1,741 monthly, median rent is more than double the national median, though incomes of $98,546 help offset the burden compared to lower-earning regions.

Among Washington's less affordable

Kitsap's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks it above the state average of 18.8%, placing the county in the upper tier of affordability challenges across Washington. The median rent of $1,741 significantly exceeds the state average of $1,202, reflecting the Puget Sound region's sustained demand.

Gateway to Puget Sound pricing

Kitsap's $1,741 rent sits between King County's pricey $2,035 and more rural counties to the east, making it a middle ground in the Seattle metro. Housing costs are notably higher than Pierce or Thurston counties, reflecting its proximity to Bremerton's waterfront appeal and military base economy.

Rent and mortgage split evenly

Renters spend 21.2% of the $98,546 median income on housing, while homeowners dedicate 21.9% to mortgage costs of $1,802. The median home value of $505,700 remains accessible compared to King County but costly relative to inland Washington.

Consider Kitsap as Seattle alternative

Kitsap offers reasonable proximity to Seattle jobs with meaningful rent savings—nearly $300 monthly less than King County. If you're seeking Puget Sound access without peak-market pricing, Kitsap's ferry connections and smaller-city appeal make it a strategic relocation choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kitsap County

via IncomeByCounty

Kitsap Earns Well Above National Average

Kitsap County's median household income of $98,546 significantly exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 32%, reflecting a strong military presence and skilled trades employment. This positions Kitsap among the nation's better-earning counties despite its mid-size population.

Kitsap Ranks Second in Washington

Kitsap County ranks second among Washington counties with a median income 29% above the state average of $76,363. Only King County outpaces Kitsap's earning power, making it the state's second-strongest income market.

Regional Economic Hub

Kitsap's $98,546 median income significantly surpasses rural neighbors like Kittitas ($69,928) and Klickitat ($70,400) counties by roughly $27,000–$28,000. This premium reflects Kitsap's naval and industrial base, particularly the Puget Sound region's economic strength.

Balanced Housing and Income

Kitsap residents spend 21.2% of median income on rent—slightly above the national affordability norm—while median home values of $505,700 remain more accessible than King County. The income-to-housing ratio suggests manageable affordability for most households.

Build Wealth on Kitsap's Strong Base

With a $98,546 median household income, Kitsap residents have solid capacity to save and invest beyond essentials. Explore tax-advantaged retirement accounts, emergency savings, and long-term investment strategies to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kitsap County

via HealthByCounty

Kitsap's health outcomes lag national average

Life expectancy in Kitsap County reaches 79.5 years, about 2.5 years below the U.S. average and trailing Washington state by 1.4 years. One in eight residents (13.1%) report poor or fair health, signaling mid-range challenges compared to national patterns. These figures reflect a mixed healthcare landscape with pockets of strength and areas needing investment.

Kitsap ranks middle-of-pack in Washington

With 79.5 years of life expectancy, Kitsap falls in the middle tier of Washington counties, behind King but competitive with Kittitas and Klickitat. The county's 7.1% uninsured rate beats Washington's 9.0% average, suggesting reasonable insurance coverage despite moderate health outcomes. This gap between coverage and health indicators points to barriers beyond insurance alone.

Mixed picture compared to regional peers

Kitsap's 79.5-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Klickitat (79.4) but trails King County (81.1) by nearly two years. Primary care availability at 67 per 100K falls between urban-dense King and rural counties, while mental health providers at 488 per 100K provide moderate access. The county's geography—mixing naval bases, urban centers, and rural areas—creates uneven healthcare distribution.

Coverage exists, but care access varies by location

Kitsap's 7.1% uninsured rate means most residents have some form of insurance, but the county's 67 primary care providers per 100,000 means appointments can involve waiting or travel. Mental health support at 488 providers per 100K offers reasonable coverage, though demand remains high. Geography matters—urban Bremerton offers better access than more rural areas of the county.

Secure coverage and find local providers now

If you're among Kitsap's 7.1% uninsured residents, or if your job-based coverage is changing, explore Washington's health insurance options to close the gap. Once covered, use your plan's provider directory to locate primary care and mental health services near you—planning ahead reduces barriers to care. A covered resident is better positioned to manage health proactively.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kitsap County

via RiskByCounty

Kitsap County carries relatively moderate risk

Kitsap County's composite risk score of 92.30 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the national average but lower than many high-hazard regions. The county's risk is concentrated in earthquake exposure and coastal flooding, not evenly distributed across all disaster types.

Above average risk for Washington state

Kitsap County scores 92.30 against Washington's state average of 70.01, ranking it in the upper tier of county risk statewide. The gap reflects significant seismic hazard from the Cascadia Subduction Zone and fault systems affecting this Puget Sound peninsula.

Kitsap sits between risk extremes

Kitsap County's score of 92.30 exceeds Mason County (85.34) to the south but falls short of King County's extreme 99.68 to the east. This places Kitsap as a moderate-to-high risk zone within the greater Puget Sound region.

Earthquakes and flooding threaten Kitsap

Kitsap County faces severe earthquake risk (98.66) from the Cascadia Subduction Zone and local faults, plus notable flood exposure (79.40) along Puget Sound and river valleys. Wildfire risk (39.85) is relatively low compared to eastern Washington, and tornadoes (23.66) are uncommon.

Earthquake and flood coverage essential

Kitsap County residents should prioritize earthquake and flood insurance, as standard policies exclude both hazards. Waterfront and riverside homeowners face particular flooding risk, while all structures in Kitsap need seismic readiness—securing water heaters, bracing foundations, and maintaining earthquake insurance.

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.