CountyScore

Lee County

Florida · FL

#58 in Florida
59.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lee County, Florida

Lee County Exceeds National Standards

Lee County's composite score of 63.7 ranks substantially above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This 27% advantage reflects competitive fundamentals across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Mid-Range Performer Within Florida

Lee County's 63.7 score falls slightly below Florida's state average of 69.4, positioning it in the middle-to-lower tier of state counties. The gap reflects higher housing costs typical of the county's more developed markets.

Strong Incomes and Manageable Taxes

Lee County boasts the strongest income score (31.1) among measured dimensions and a median household income of $73,099, supporting solid purchasing power. The tax score of 79.0 with an effective rate of 0.827% keeps more earnings in residents' pockets.

Housing Costs Outpace Regional Averages

The cost score of 60.3 reflects median home values of $326,300 and rents of $1,597 monthly, positioning Lee among Florida's pricier counties. Data gaps remain for safety, health, schools, and environmental factors, limiting a complete livability picture.

For Earners Seeking Coastal Southwest Florida

Lee County suits working professionals and established families with solid incomes who can manage higher housing costs. The county's income advantages support its premium real estate market, making it ideal for those prioritizing earning potential over bargain affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79Cost60.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.1Risk1WaterComing Soon
🏛79
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡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 Lee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fresno County
California
59.7
Median income: $71,434
Merced County
California
59.7
Median income: $65,044
Nevada County
California
59.7
Median income: $84,905
Dauphin County
Pennsylvania
59.7
Median income: $74,159
Norfolk city
Virginia
59.7
Median income: $64,017

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee County taxes rank above national median

Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.827% surpasses the national median of 0.71%, though its median tax bill of $2,699 matches the national median almost exactly. This positions Lee as a higher-tax county, reflecting robust property values in Southwest Florida's booming real estate market.

Among Florida's highest-tax counties

Lee County's effective rate of 0.827% ranks above Florida's 0.731% average, placing it in the upper tier statewide. Its median tax of $2,699 tops the state median of $1,885 by 43%, driven by strong coastal property appreciation in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Competing with Manatee for highest regional taxes

Lee's 0.827% rate matches Manatee County (0.793% for comparison), and both exceed inland counties like Lake (0.793%) and Lafayette (0.646%). The median tax of $2,699 is the highest among the eight-county survey, reflecting Lee's status as a dynamic growth market.

What median homes cost in annual taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $326,300 pays roughly $2,699 annually in property taxes—about $225 per month. With mortgage-related fees, annual property tax obligations can reach $2,773, making Lee one of Florida's costlier markets for tax burden.

Challenge inflated assessments on high-value homes

High-value properties are especially prone to assessment errors; Lee County homeowners with homes valued above market can appeal to lower their tax liability. With median homes at $326,300, even a 5% valuation correction could save over $1,300 annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Southwest Florida's affordability challenge

Lee County renters spend 26.2% of their income on rent, noticeably higher than the nation's typical ratio and straining household budgets. At $1,597 monthly rent against median income of $73,099, Lee's cost of living rivals many major metropolitan areas outside Florida.

Among Florida's pricier counties

Lee County's 26.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Florida's average of 22.5%, placing it among the state's costlier housing markets. This reflects Lee's popularity as a residential and tourism destination, driving up demand and prices across the region.

Premium pricing in Southwest Florida

Lee County's $1,597 median rent significantly outpaces nearby inland counties but runs nearly even with neighboring Manatee County ($1,549). Both coastal and near-coastal Southwest Florida counties command a premium over rural interior regions, reflecting proximity to amenities and employment centers.

Renters and owners both invest heavily

Lee County renters dedicate $1,597 monthly (26.2% of income) to housing, while owners spend $1,229 on mortgages for homes valued at $326,300. Even homeowners with established equity face substantial monthly costs, and renters must carefully budget to manage housing expenses while covering other necessities.

Lee County: premium for coastal lifestyle

Lee County's higher housing costs—26.2% rent burden and $326,300 median home values—reflect its popularity and access to Gulf Coast amenities. If you're relocating for retirement or lifestyle, compare Lee's expenses to more affordable rural or inland alternatives; the premium buys you waterfront proximity and year-round recreation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County slightly below national median

Lee County's median household income of $73,099 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just $1,656—placing it nearly at parity with national earnings. The county's per capita income of $43,365 significantly exceeds the national average, reflecting wealth concentration among higher earners.

Ranks high within Florida counties

Lee County's $73,099 median household income outpaces Florida's state average of $65,468 by roughly $7,600. The county ranks in Florida's upper tier for household earnings, driven by tourism, healthcare, and real estate sectors.

Strong income compared to the region

Lee County's $73,099 median income outearns most neighboring counties, surpassing Lake ($69,956) and Leon ($65,074). The Southwest Florida economy benefits from seasonal tourism, retiree migration, and growing healthcare employment.

Housing affordability becoming tight

Lee County's rent-to-income ratio of 26.2% means housing consumes more than one-quarter of median household income, pushing toward the affordability ceiling. The median home value of $326,300 has climbed substantially, requiring significant down payments and mortgage capacity.

Leverage rising home equity wisely

Lee County residents benefit from appreciating property values and can use home equity strategically in long-term wealth plans. Diversifying beyond real estate through retirement accounts and investment portfolios protects against market concentration risk.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Lee County leads on life expectancy

At 80.6 years, Lee County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 15.7% poor/fair health rate is notably lower than the national average of 17%, reflecting excellent population health outcomes.

Florida's longest-living county

Lee County's 80.6-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Florida, exceeding the state average of 75.8 years by nearly 5 years. Despite this achievement, the county's 17.1% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Florida's 14.4%, indicating some access gaps remain.

Exceptional health outcomes regionally

Lee County's 80.6-year life expectancy surpasses nearby Manatee County (79.8) and significantly outperforms most Florida counties. With 67 primary care providers and 147 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Lee offers robust healthcare infrastructure supporting these strong outcomes.

Comprehensive healthcare resources

Lee County's 67 primary care providers and 147 mental health providers per 100,000 residents create excellent access to both preventive and behavioral health care. Though 17.1% of residents lack insurance, those with coverage benefit from an extensive provider network supporting the county's exceptional life expectancy.

Complete your health coverage

Nearly 1 in 6 Lee County residents remain uninsured—missing opportunities to maximize preventive care and access to the county's strong provider network. Check your insurance status and explore marketplace plans, Medicaid, or employer-sponsored options to ensure full access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County faces highest disaster risks nationally

Lee County's composite risk score of 99.05 with a 'Relatively High' rating places it among the nation's most hazard-exposed counties. The county experiences near-maximal risk across hurricane, flood, and wildfire categories, representing an exceptional disaster vulnerability.

Highest-risk county in Florida

Lee County's score of 99.05 significantly exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks as the state's most dangerous county for natural disasters. This top-of-the-list status demands extraordinary preparedness from residents and emergency management agencies.

Southwest Florida faces severe collective risk

Lee County's 99.05 score exceeds fellow high-risk neighbors like Manatee County (97.55) and Levy County (66.09), making it the epicenter of Florida's disaster vulnerability. The concentration of extreme risk in southwest Florida reflects the region's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes, storm surge, and coastal flooding.

Hurricane and flood risks are critical

Lee County's hurricane risk of 99.92 and flood risk of 97.40 are nearly maximal, reflecting the county's coastal exposure and low elevation. Storm surge, wind damage, and precipitation flooding represent immediate, severe threats during Atlantic hurricane season.

Flood and hurricane insurance are mandatory

Lee County homeowners face a regulatory and practical mandate: flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and comprehensive hurricane/wind coverage are essential investments. Elevation, impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofing, and regular maintenance are the difference between recovery and disaster for properties in this highest-risk county.

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.