Kittitas County scores 66.0 out of 100, well above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally. This places Kittitas in the top quintile of U.S. counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Performing nearly at state average
Kittitas County scores just slightly below Washington's state average of 68.1, demonstrating that it keeps pace with the state's broader livability standards. It ranks as a competitive choice among Washington counties.
3 / 5
Excellent tax rates and affordable housing combo
Kittitas County delivers a tax score of 82.4 with a 0.708% effective tax rate, plus a cost score of 62.9 featuring median homes under $460,000 and rent at just $1,253 monthly. This combination offers strong value for cost-conscious households.
4 / 5
Lower incomes limit long-term wealth building
Kittitas County's income score of just 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,928, significantly below state and national norms. Limited data on health, schools, and safety leaves important livability factors unmeasured.
5 / 5
Perfect for retirees and minimalist families
Kittitas County suits retirees with fixed incomes and families prioritizing low housing costs and taxes over high salary potential. It offers sustainable livability for those who've already built wealth or whose lifestyle needs are modest.
Kittitas County scores 66.0 out of 100, well above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally. This places Kittitas in the top quintile of U.S. counties for overall livability.
Performing nearly at state average
Kittitas County scores just slightly below Washington's state average of 68.1, demonstrating that it keeps pace with the state's broader livability standards. It ranks as a competitive choice among Washington counties.
Excellent tax rates and affordable housing combo
Kittitas County delivers a tax score of 82.4 with a 0.708% effective tax rate, plus a cost score of 62.9 featuring median homes under $460,000 and rent at just $1,253 monthly. This combination offers strong value for cost-conscious households.
Lower incomes limit long-term wealth building
Kittitas County's income score of just 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,928, significantly below state and national norms. Limited data on health, schools, and safety leaves important livability factors unmeasured.
Perfect for retirees and minimalist families
Kittitas County suits retirees with fixed incomes and families prioritizing low housing costs and taxes over high salary potential. It offers sustainable livability for those who've already built wealth or whose lifestyle needs are modest.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Kittitas County's effective tax rate of 0.708% sits below the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. Homeowners pay a median of $3,255 annually—well above the national median of $2,690—due to higher local home values rather than aggressive rates.
Mid-range tax rate in Washington
Kittitas County ranks 20th among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.708%, below the statewide average of 0.761%. This positioning reflects moderate tax pressure relative to Puget Sound neighbors.
Lower rates than King, Kitsap counties
Kittitas County's 0.708% rate substantially undercuts King County (0.836%) and Kitsap County (0.797%), though it trails rural counties like Klickitat (0.618%) and Lincoln (0.595%). The county balances moderate rates with strong property values.
Median annual tax is $3,255
With a median home value of $459,900, Kittitas County residents typically pay $3,255 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes average $3,293, while mortgage-free properties average $3,201.
Review your assessment during valuation cycles
Even in relatively moderately-taxed counties, overassessment happens when market values shift unexpectedly. Kittitas County homeowners should compare their assessed value against recent comparable sales and file an appeal if justified.
With a 21.5% rent-to-income ratio, Kittitas County exceeds both the national average and Washington's state average despite lower incomes of $69,928. Renters spend $1,253 monthly—far above the national median—making housing affordability a genuine challenge for most households.
Cascades county faces affordability crunch
Kittitas ranks among Washington's more strained counties with a 21.5% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average of 18.8%. The median rent of $1,253 is particularly burdensome given the county's median income of $69,928, the lowest among this peer group.
Stuck between city and countryside
Kittitas's $1,253 rent is higher than rural Okanogan ($868) or Klickitat ($1,119) yet below Puget Sound counties, reflecting its mountain-town character and Seattle commute appeal. Neighboring Yakima County offers comparable housing costs but more job diversity.
High burden on lower income
Renters dedicate 21.5% of the $69,928 median income to housing, while homeowners spend 25.4% on mortgage costs of $1,483. The median home value of $459,900 is steep for a county where incomes lag state and national levels.
Kittitas offers Cascades living
Despite affordability pressures, Kittitas offers mountain recreation and regional growth potential if you're willing to stretch your housing budget. Consider pairing relocation with remote work or Puget Sound commute opportunities to justify the cost premium over flatter, further-east alternatives.
Kittitas County's median household income of $69,928 falls 6.4% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-earning U.S. counties. Agricultural and service-sector employment dominates the county's economic base.
Middle of Washington's Income Pack
Kittitas County ranks in the middle tier of Washington counties at $69,928 median income, about 8% below the state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $41,356 slightly exceeds the state average of $40,628, suggesting unequal wealth distribution.
Below King and Kitsap, Ahead of Rural Counties
Kittitas's $69,928 income trails Kitsap County ($98,546) by nearly $29,000 but edges slightly above Klickitat ($70,400) and Lewis ($69,690) counties. The county sits in Washington's lower-middle income band, closer to rural neighbors than urban centers.
Tight Housing-to-Income Ratio
Kittitas residents allocate 21.5% of median income to rent—above the 20% affordability threshold—while median home values of $459,900 stretch household budgets. Housing costs consume a significant share of family earnings here.
Strategic Saving Builds Long-Term Security
With median household income at $69,928, every dollar saved matters; prioritize an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses first. Then explore employer retirement plans and low-cost index funds to grow wealth despite moderate starting income.
Kittitas slightly above U.S. life expectancy baseline
Kittitas County residents live an average of 79.8 years, roughly in line with the U.S. average but 1.7 years above Washington's state mean of 78.1 years. However, 15.9% report poor or fair health—notably higher than national norms—indicating chronic disease and lifestyle factors that shorten quality of life. This suggests prevention and management gaps despite decent longevity.
Mid-ranked county with growing health challenges
Kittitas ranks in Washington's middle tier for life expectancy at 79.8 years, but its 15.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average and signals worsening trends. The county's 8.4% uninsured rate is slightly below Washington's 9.0% average, meaning most residents can access care but barriers remain. Limited primary care (51 per 100K) suggests capacity constraints in the county.
Health closer to rural peers than urban centers
Kittitas's 79.8 years places it near Klickitat (79.4) and Kitsap (79.5) but well behind King County (81.1). With just 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, it offers fewer options than Kitsap (67) and significantly fewer than King (119). Mental health providers at 224 per 100K are sparse compared to larger counties, reflecting rural constraints.
Insurance covers most, but care is hard to access
Kittitas's 8.4% uninsured rate means roughly 9 in 10 residents carry health coverage, but the county's tight primary care capacity means getting an appointment can require patience or travel. At 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, availability lags regional needs, and mental health services at 224 per 100K are limited. Rural location exacerbates commute times to specialists.
Enroll now and plan preventive care ahead
If you're among Kittitas's 8.4% uninsured, or your coverage is ending, don't delay—sign up through Washington's marketplace to ensure continuity. Once covered, work with your primary care provider to schedule preventive visits and manage chronic conditions early, reducing emergency visits. Proactive care is especially critical in areas with limited provider density.
Kittitas County's composite risk score of 89.12 ranks in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the national average but not extreme. The score reflects a unique hazard mix: catastrophic wildfire risk paired with significant earthquake and flood threats.
Mid-range risk profile for Washington
Kittitas County scores 89.12 against Washington's average of 70.01, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevated score is driven primarily by wildfire exposure in this transition zone between Puget Sound and the drier interior.
Kittitas shares risk with surrounding counties
Kittitas County (89.12) sits between Lewis County (89.69) to the southwest and Okanogan County (89.19) to the north, forming a band of elevated wildfire and earthquake risk across central Washington. All three counties face similar seismic threats and water-related hazards.
Wildfire, earthquake, and flood threats
Kittitas County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.68), the highest among its major hazards, affecting thousands of homes in forested and semi-arid zones. Earthquakes (93.86) and flooding (74.78) pose secondary but serious threats, while tornadoes (7.41) are rare.
Wildfire, earthquake, and flood preparation
Kittitas County residents must combine wildfire defensibility with earthquake and flood insurance: clear vegetation from home perimeters, install metal roofing if possible, and secure separate earthquake and flood policies. Properties near waterways or in forest-interface zones face compounded risks requiring comprehensive coverage.