countyscore
36.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 75.4Water Quality 64.2Health 60.4

County Report Card

About Lee County, Florida

Lee County trails the national average

Lee County's composite score of 36.4 falls significantly below the national median of 50.0, indicating livability challenges compared to most U.S. counties. The 13.6-point gap reflects structural affordability and safety concerns that outweigh strong income potential.

Below Florida's average in overall livability

Lee County ranks below Florida's state average with a composite score of 36.4 versus 45.1, placing it in the lower half of Florida's 67 counties. This below-average standing reflects persistent affordability and public safety issues.

High incomes and health services shine

Lee County boasts a median household income of $73,099 (income score: 74.2), reflecting strong earning potential, while health score of 60.4 provides solid healthcare access. Water quality (64.2) also rates above the state average, ensuring safe drinking water.

Housing is expensive, safety is fragile

Lee County's median home value of $326,300 and rent of $1,597/month create severe affordability barriers (cost score: 11.1), among Florida's worst. Safety score of 40.2 and a catastrophic risk score of just 1.0 signal both crime and extreme vulnerability to environmental disasters.

Only for high earners willing to accept risks

Lee County suits affluent professionals and established retirees who can absorb premium housing costs and tolerate safety and environmental concerns. Its strong incomes make it viable for wealthy families, but lack of affordability and public safety make it unsuitable for budget-conscious or risk-averse households.

2040608010051.69.840.260.423.975.4164.27.3Tax51.6Cost9.8Safety40.2Health60.4Schools23.9Income75.4Risk1Water64.2Weather7.336.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Lee County DNA

Foverall

How Lee County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Lee County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (75.4/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (7.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
51.6
Cost
9.8-38.2
Safety
40.2-14.799999999999997
Health
60.4+10.399999999999999
Schools
23.9-30.1
Income
75.4+24.400000000000006
Risk
1-46
Water
64.2
Weather
7.3-48.7
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Compare mortgage rates in Lee County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lee County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$362,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,712/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$362,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$68,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,107/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

Safety in Lee County

via CrimeByCounty

Lee County stays safer than national average

Lee County earns a safety score of 97.9, reflecting its status as a secure coastal community. Its total crime rate of 1,361.5 per 100,000 residents remains significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Lee County aligns with Florida safety standards

Lee County’s safety score of 97.9 sits slightly below the Florida state average of 98.4. Fifteen reporting agencies work to manage a crime rate that is just above the state average of 1,027.9.

Lee compared to nearby Florida counties

Lee County maintains a much lower crime rate than Leon County, which sits at 2,613.5 per 100,000. However, it experiences higher crime rates than its northern neighbor, Manatee County.

Property crimes represent the majority of reports

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,054.5 per 100,000, while violent crime is reported at 307.0. Both metrics remain below national benchmarks, particularly violent crime which is 17% lower than the U.S. average.

Secure your home against property crime

With property crime being the most common concern, residents benefit from installing outdoor lighting and cameras. These proactive measures help deter opportunistic theft in residential neighborhoods.

Weather & Climate in Lee County

via WeatherByCounty

Lee County Surpasses National Temperature Medians

The county's average annual temperature of 75.2°F sits more than 20 degrees above the national median of 54°F. This subtropical climate reflects some of the warmest year-round conditions in the United States.

A Warm Leader in the Sunshine State

Lee County stays significantly warmer than the Florida state average of 71.1°F. Its 75.2°F average places it among the highest-ranking counties for heat in the southern peninsula.

Warmer Shores than Northern Neighbors

At 75.2°F, Lee County is warmer than Manatee County to the north, which averages 73.2°F. Both regions share a Gulf Coast influence that keeps humidity high and temperatures stable.

Lengthy Summers and Non-Existent Winters

Residents endure 120 days of extreme heat above 90°F, while winter averages remain a balmy 66.3°F. Although snowfall records are unavailable for this area, frozen precipitation is historically rare.

Managing Extreme Heat and Seasonal Rain

Homeowners should maintain robust HVAC systems to handle 120 days of 90-degree heat. Planning outdoor events requires attention to the 55.4 inches of annual rain, most of which falls during summer.

Soil Quality in Lee County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Acidity in Lee

Lee County features a soil pH of 5.45, which is notably less acidic than the state average of 4.88. This more balanced profile contributes to a strong soil score of 41.7, well above the state average of 31.1.

Predominantly Sandy Texture

The profile is 87.4% sand, containing very little silt (1.4%) or clay (1.9%). This makes for a very loose, easy-to-dig soil that resists compaction but allows water to pass through almost instantly.

High Organic Content Potential

Organic matter is a strong suit here at 9.17%, well above the state average of 8.03%. While the available water capacity of 0.106 in/in is slightly below the state benchmark, the high organic content helps hold onto essential nutrients.

Efficient Water Movement

Specific drainage and hydrologic classifications are missing from the data. Given that sand makes up nearly 90% of the soil, you can expect exceptionally fast drainage and low water retention during the rainy season.

Tropical Paradise in Zone 10b

As a tropical Zone 10b, Lee County is a paradise for growing mangoes, papayas, and other frost-sensitive species. Your high organic matter provides a great natural boost for any tropical fruit trees you choose to plant.

Lawn Care in Lee County

via LawnByCounty

Tropical Resilience in Zone 10b

Lee County earns a lawn difficulty score of 19.8, placing it right in line with the Florida state average of 19.2. In this tropical 10b environment, the challenge isn't the cold, but managing a lawn that never truly goes dormant.

Sizzling Heat and Heavy Rainfall

Lee County endures 120 days of heat above 90°F, which is significantly higher than the state average of 92 days. An incredible 9,210 growing degree days and 55.4 inches of rain mean your mowing schedule will be relentless throughout the year.

Sandy Foundations and Low pH

The soil is 87.4% sand with a low pH of 5.45, which can lock out essential nutrients from your grass. With only 1.9% clay, the soil lacks the structure to hold moisture, making organic top-dressing a vital step for any serious gardener.

Severe Drought Affecting All of Lee

Drought has persisted for 35 weeks this year, and currently, 100% of the county is in Severe Drought. Implementing xeriscaping or choosing drought-tolerant cultivars is essential to maintaining curb appeal under strict water restrictions.

Perpetual Growth for Tropical Turf

Warm-season champions like St. Augustine or Seashore Paspalum thrive here. With a last frost date of January 17, you can begin lawn improvements almost as soon as the calendar turns, provided you have a plan for the 120 days of extreme heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lee County's county score?
Lee County, Florida has a composite county score of 36.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Lee County rank among counties in Florida?
Lee County ranks #53 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Lee County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Lee County is $2,858, with an effective tax rate of 0.79%. This earns Lee County a tax score of 51.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lee County?
The median household income in Lee County, Florida is $76,107 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lee County earns an income score of 75.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lee County, Florida a good place to live?
Lee County scores 36.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Lee County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Lee County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.