CountyScore

Lane County

Oregon · OR

#32 in Oregon
61.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Lane County, Oregon

Lane County above national median

Lane County's composite score of 61.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper-middle percentile nationally. This reflects stronger-than-average livability across multiple dimensions, particularly health and income.

Below state average but respectable

Lane's score of 61.1 trails Oregon's average of 66.6 by 5.5 points, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Oregon counties. It underperforms the state norm but remains competitive with many regional peers.

Highest income and strong health outcomes

Lane County leads this group with an income score of 28.6 and median household income of $69,311, supporting higher earning potential and economic opportunity. Its health score of 70.9 is also among the strongest, suggesting robust healthcare access and outcomes.

Housing costs strain budgets

The cost score of 63.7 reflects higher housing pressures, with median home values at $395,800 and median rent at $1,287/month—among the highest in this group. The effective tax rate of 0.863% also ranks higher, squeezing middle-income budgets.

Best for higher-income professionals

Lane County suits educated professionals and established families with solid incomes willing to accept higher housing and tax costs for better health services and economic opportunity. It's the region's most economically dynamic county, making it ideal for those prioritizing career growth and healthcare access over affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78Cost63.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.6Risk3.6WaterComing Soon
🏛78
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.6
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 Lane County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Florida
61.1
Median income: $83,030
Ford County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $70,495
Seward County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $62,269
Stevens County
Kansas
61.1
Median income: $61,909
Frederick County
Maryland
61.1
Median income: $120,458

Deep Dives

Lane County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lane County

via TaxByCounty

Lane County taxes exceed national average significantly

Lane County's 0.863% effective tax rate runs well above the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. Residents pay a median of $3,417 in property taxes—27% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Lane County ranks second-highest in Oregon taxes

At 0.863%, Lane's effective rate ranks second only to Marion County's 0.882% among all Oregon jurisdictions. Lane homeowners pay $3,417 annually—25% above Oregon's state median of $2,745.

Lane taxes far exceed southern and eastern Oregon peers

Lane's 0.863% rate towers over Josephine (0.528%), Klamath (0.678%), and Lake (0.641%), reflecting Eugene and Springfield's higher property values. The Willamette Valley counties consistently tax at higher rates than Oregon's periphery.

Median Lane home costs $3,417 annually in property tax

Lane County's median home value of $395,800 combined with its 0.863% rate produces an annual tax bill of approximately $3,417. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to roughly $3,487.

Lane County homeowners should challenge high assessments

Despite Lane's above-average rates, many properties are still overassessed relative to true market value. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and may reduce your annual burden by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lane County

via CostByCounty

Lane's Housing Costs Bite Deep

Lane County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% exceeds Oregon's 19.4% average and signals affordability pressure comparable to tight national markets. With median household income of $69,311 and rent of $1,287, residents earn closer to the national median but dedicate a larger share to housing than most Americans.

Among Oregon's Most Expensive

Lane County ranks above Oregon's state average of 19.4%, placing it squarely in the state's less affordable regions despite mid-range incomes. The county's position as Oregon's second-largest urban area explains higher housing costs and tighter affordability compared to rural or smaller regional counties.

Urban Pricing in a Regional Context

Lane's median rent of $1,287 far exceeds southern Oregon alternatives like Klamath ($973) and Lake ($861), though it trails Marion County ($1,333). Home values in Lane ($395,800) rival Lincoln and Josephine counties while supporting notably higher incomes, suggesting urban market premiums for services and employment.

Higher Incomes, Higher Costs

Renters pay $1,287 monthly while homeowners carry $1,391, with median home values at $395,800—among the state's priciest. At 22.3% of household income consumed by rent, Lane residents spend measurably more than state averages, though incomes better support these costs than in poorer rural counties.

Urban Amenities Come at a Price

Lane County's higher housing costs reflect its position as a major employment and cultural hub; those prioritizing affordability should consider Klamath, Lake, or Malheur counties. For remote workers or those with Lane-based jobs, the tradeoff between urban access and housing expense deserves careful financial consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lane County

via IncomeByCounty

Lane County approaches national income average

Lane County's median household income of $69,311 closes the gap with the national median of $74,755, sitting just 7% below the U.S. benchmark. The $5,444 shortfall is notably smaller than most Oregon counties, reflecting a more diversified economy anchored by the University of Oregon, healthcare, and technology sectors. Lane ranks solidly in the national middle tier of county earnings.

Near parity with Oregon state average

At $69,311, Lane County essentially matches Oregon's state median of $69,965—a virtual tie that reflects its status as the state's third-largest metro area. This positioning places Lane in Oregon's upper-middle tier, above most rural counties but below wealthier Portland-area peers. The alignment suggests Lane has balanced economic growth with regional wage trends.

Strongest earner in western region

Lane's $69,311 income substantially outpaces western Oregon peers: Josephine ($59,097), Klamath ($59,353), and Lincoln ($61,314) all lag by $8,000-$10,000. Only Marion County ($74,624) and Linn County ($73,396) exceed Lane's earnings in the state. Lane's advantage reflects Eugene's role as a regional employment hub.

Housing costs bite harder here

Despite strong income positioning, Lane's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% indicates housing costs consume more than one-fifth of median earnings. A median home value of $395,800 reflects Eugene's desirability, requiring substantial income to access homeownership comfortably. The combination of higher income and higher costs creates a wash for affordability relative to lower-income rural counties.

University town offers investment advantages

Lane County's educated workforce and institutional presence (University of Oregon, hospitals) create opportunities for employer retirement plans and professional investment guidance. Households earning $69,311 should prioritize maximizing 401(k) contributions and diversified index funds for long-term wealth growth. Lane's relative prosperity provides the financial stability needed for aggressive wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lane County

via HealthByCounty

Oregon's healthiest county excels

Lane County residents live to 77.1 years, nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 79.3 years and among Oregon's best. Only 19.5% report poor or fair health, better than the national rate of 21%. Lane County's strong economy, medical infrastructure, and educational levels support measurably better health outcomes.

Leading Oregon's health rankings

Lane County's 77.1-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, placing it among the state's healthiest counties. Its 19.5% poor/fair health rate is below the state average, reflecting lower chronic disease burden and better preventive care uptake. Lane County consistently outperforms Oregon's typical health profile.

Superior to southern Oregon peers

Lane County's 77.1-year life expectancy surpasses Josephine County (74.6 years), Klamath County (73.3 years), Lake County (75.7 years), and most other counties in this group. Its 7.9% uninsured rate ties Josephine and Linn counties as among Oregon's lowest. With 82 primary care and 1,169 mental health providers per 100,000, Lane has robust healthcare infrastructure.

Best provider access in group

Lane County's 7.9% uninsured rate ties the state's best, meaning nearly 9 in 10 residents have health coverage that enables ongoing care. Mental health providers are exceptionally abundant at 1,169 per 100,000—the highest in this eight-county group—reflecting strong investment in behavioral health. Primary care access is solid at 82 providers per 100,000, supporting preventive care and chronic disease management.

Maintain your lane county advantage

Lane County's strong insurance coverage and provider access create a health advantage—maintain it by renewing coverage annually. Visit healthcare.gov or Oregon's marketplace to confirm your plan meets your family's needs and explore any new subsidy opportunities. Consistent insurance is how Lane County sustains its lead in Oregon health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lane County

via RiskByCounty

Lane ranks among highest-risk counties

Lane County's composite risk score of 96.41 places it near the top tier of natural disaster exposure nationwide. The Relatively High rating reflects extreme earthquake (98.76) and flood (97.20) risks that few American counties match. Lane faces a hazard profile comparable to counties in California's seismic zones or Gulf Coast flood plains.

Oregon's most at-risk county

Lane County ranks first among Oregon's 36 counties with a composite score of 96.41—far above the state average of 63.43. The county's extreme earthquake and flood risks push it into Oregon's highest risk category. Lane's exposure rivals or exceeds some of the nation's most hazard-prone regions.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Lane (96.41) dramatically outpaces neighboring Linn (88.10) and Lincoln (89.95) counties on composite risk. Lane's flood risk of 97.20 and earthquake risk of 98.76 are exceptionally high compared to regional peers. This concentration of hazard exposure in Lane reflects its major urban centers and river-based geography.

Earthquakes and floods pose extreme threats

Lane faces earthquake risk of 98.76 and flood risk of 97.20—two of Oregon's most dangerous exposures. Tornado risk of 20.96, while elevated statewide, is the county's third concern. The combination of seismic and hydrologic hazards makes Lane exceptionally vulnerable to cascading disaster scenarios.

Earthquake and flood insurance essential

Lane County homeowners must secure earthquake insurance and verify flood coverage—both are non-negotiable given the extreme 98.76 and 97.20 risks. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake and may exclude flood; ensure separate riders are in place. Review coverage annually, as Lane's hazard exposure may trigger policy restrictions or premium increases.

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.