CountyScore

Lackawanna County

Pennsylvania · PA

#53 in Pennsylvania
61
County Score

County Report Card

About Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

26% above the national baseline

Lackawanna County's composite score of 62.8 ranks 26% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability across core measures. However, this represents more modest performance than many of its Pennsylvania peers.

Below Pennsylvania's state average

At 62.8, Lackawanna County falls below the state average of 66.0, placing it in the middle tier of Pennsylvania counties. The gap is driven primarily by higher tax burdens and elevated housing costs relative to neighboring counties.

Moderate income and housing stock

Lackawanna County maintains a median household income of $64,691 and a Cost Score of 74.7, providing reasonable housing availability and modest earning power. These dimensions offer baseline stability for working families.

Taxes and rents eat into household budgets

The Tax Score of 59.2 and effective tax rate of 1.532% rank among Pennsylvania's higher burdens, while median gross rent of $973 signals tight rental affordability. Combined, these pressures limit disposable income for residents.

Suitable for those prioritizing community ties

Lackawanna County works best for people who value established neighborhoods and community roots over maximum disposable income. If you're willing to accept moderate tax and housing costs in exchange for stability and familiarity, this county is a reasonable choice.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.2Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk10.1WaterComing Soon
🏛59.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.1
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 Lackawanna County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Northwest Hills Planning Region
Connecticut
61
Median income: $91,035
Hendry County
Florida
61
Median income: $53,044
Richmond County
Georgia
61
Median income: $53,197
Whiteside County
Illinois
61
Median income: $64,536
Johnson County
Iowa
61
Median income: $74,721

Deep Dives

Lackawanna County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lackawanna County

via TaxByCounty

Lackawanna taxes run 8% above U.S. median

Lackawanna County's effective tax rate of 1.532% exceeds the national median of 1.31%, landing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax bill of $2,910 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, though on significantly lower home values.

Among Pennsylvania's higher-taxed counties

Lackawanna ranks in the upper third of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with an effective rate of 1.532%, 16% above the state average of 1.317%. This positions it as one of the more tax-burdened communities in the Commonwealth.

Higher taxes than most nearby counties

Lackawanna's 1.532% rate exceeds Jefferson County (1.114%), Juniata County (1.050%), and Luzerne County (1.530%) by 38% or more. Only Lehigh County (1.663%) and Lawrence County (1.451%) approach or exceed Lackawanna's burden in the region.

Median home costs $2,910 in annual taxes

A homeowner with Lackawanna County's median home value of $189,900 pays approximately $2,910 per year in property taxes at the 1.532% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $3,047; without one, it drops to $2,765.

Assessment appeal could yield real relief

Many Lackawanna County homeowners may be overassessed, particularly if home values have declined in their neighborhoods since the last reassessment. Filing a timely appeal with the county can challenge inflated valuations and reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lackawanna County

via CostByCounty

Lackawanna rents squeeze household budgets

Lackawanna County renters spend 18.1% of their $64,691 median household income on rent, edging toward affordability stress despite earning slightly below the national median of $74,755. At this ratio, the county sits above the 16.5% Pennsylvania state average, signaling housing cost pressure.

Above-average housing burden statewide

Lackawanna's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Pennsylvania's more expensive counties for renters, surpassing the state average of 16.5% by 1.6 percentage points. The median rent of $973 exceeds the state average of $960, compounding affordability challenges for wage-earning households.

Steepest rents in the region

Lackawanna renters pay $973 monthly—$243 more than Juniata County and $227 more than Jefferson County—making it the priciest rental market in its peer group. Homeowners face similar pressures: the $1,057 monthly ownership cost ranks highest among comparable northeastern Pennsylvania counties.

Lackawanna housing takes 36% of income

On a $64,691 annual income ($5,391 monthly), Lackawanna households allocate $973 to rent and $1,057 to ownership costs—combined, these consume over one-third of gross income. This tight squeeze leaves less than two-thirds for food, utilities, healthcare, and savings.

Compare Lackawanna to affordable neighbors

Renters in Lackawanna should evaluate neighboring Juniata or Jefferson counties: both offer median rents $200+ cheaper monthly and lower home values. A move 30-45 minutes could reclaim $3,000+ annually in housing costs while maintaining reasonable commute distances to job centers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lackawanna County

via IncomeByCounty

Lackawanna lags national income bar

Lackawanna County's median household income of $64,691 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $10,064, or 13%. The county reflects broader challenges facing Rust Belt communities dependent on legacy industries.

Below average across Pennsylvania

At $64,691, Lackawanna ranks below the Pennsylvania state median of $69,614 by $4,923 annually. The county's per capita income of $36,217 nearly matches the state average of $37,407, suggesting unequal income distribution.

Middle-income standing regionally

Lackawanna's $64,691 median places it roughly $2,000 above Lawrence County and Luzerne County but significantly below Lancaster and Lehigh counties. The county's per capita income of $36,217 is the second-highest in the eight-county set, indicating less income inequality.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Lackawanna's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio approaches the 20% threshold where affordability concerns emerge, suggesting rental housing consumes meaningful portions of family budgets. Median home values of $189,900 require household incomes of $70,000+ for 30-year mortgage comfort.

Higher per capita income offers planning edge

Lackawanna's strong per capita income of $36,217 suggests potential for household wealth-building through side income, freelance work, or spousal employment. Couples can leverage household earnings to max out retirement contributions and build diversified investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lackawanna County

via HealthByCounty

Health outcomes approach national standards

Lackawanna County residents live to 75.8 years on average, roughly aligned with U.S. life expectancy of 79.3 years, though still trailing by about 3.5 years. The county's 17.8% poor/fair health rate is below the national average of 17.9%, signaling relatively better population health.

Strongest healthcare infrastructure in region

Lackawanna County's 75.8-year life expectancy and 5.8% uninsured rate represent the best performance among Pennsylvania's counties studied here. The county's robust provider network—83 primary care doctors and 308 mental health specialists per 100K—makes it a regional healthcare hub.

Uninsured rate sets gold standard for access

Lackawanna County's 5.8% uninsured rate is the lowest in the region, compared to 8.5% in Jefferson County and 11.6% in Juniata County. Its mental health provider density of 308 per 100K far exceeds all regional peers, reflecting significant institutional investment in behavioral health.

Urban density enables robust healthcare access

With 83 primary care providers per 100K—among the highest regionally—Lackawanna County residents enjoy ready access to preventive and routine care. The county's mental health infrastructure of 308 providers per 100K supports treatment access for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Maintain your coverage with annual review

While Lackawanna County leads the region in insurance coverage, the 5.8% uninsured population and millions facing coverage gaps each year should still explore options. Check healthcare.gov annually to ensure your plan remains the best fit for your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lackawanna County

via RiskByCounty

Lackawanna County faces moderate multi-hazard risk

With a composite risk score of 89.92 and a "Relatively Moderate" rating, Lackawanna exceeds Pennsylvania's 67.45 state average by 22 points. This elevated exposure reflects significant vulnerability across multiple hazard types, placing the county in a higher-risk category nationally.

Fifth-highest risk county in Pennsylvania

Lackawanna ranks fifth or sixth among Pennsylvania's 67 counties for composite disaster risk, making it one of the state's highest-exposure regions. Only a handful of counties, mostly in the south-central and eastern parts of the state, face comparably greater hazard.

Among the riskiest in northeastern PA

Lackawanna's 89.92 score is higher than Pike County (82.45) and matches Luzerne County (91.63) for elevated risk in the northeast. This pattern reflects the region's shared exposure to flooding, tornadoes, and seismic activity.

Flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes loom large

Lackawanna faces severe flood risk (94.08), significant tornado exposure (68.13), and notable earthquake risk (74.97). Hurricane risk (82.02) rounds out a multi-hazard threat profile that requires comprehensive preparedness across several disaster types.

Invest in flood and wind protection

Lackawanna's 94.08 flood risk demands flood insurance coverage; standard homeowners policies exclude water damage. Additionally, ensure your roof and exterior are rated for high winds, reinforce garage doors, and consider a safe room or shelter for tornado season, which peaks in spring and early summer.

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.