CountyScore

Lehigh County

Pennsylvania · PA

#65 in Pennsylvania
56.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

13% above the national median

Lehigh County's composite score of 56.3 ranks only 13% above the national median of 50.0, making it one of the lower-scoring counties in this analysis. This reflects significant affordability and tax challenges relative to national norms.

Ranks below most Pennsylvania counties

At 56.3, Lehigh County falls notably below the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, ranking among the weakest performers in the state on livability measures. This gap underscores affordability and tax pressures that outpace most peers.

Above-average income opportunities exist

Lehigh County's Income Score of 34.0 and median household income of $77,493 represent the county's strongest dimension, reflecting job market vitality. This earning power is the primary bright spot in the county's profile.

High taxes and steep housing costs collide

The Tax Score of 55.5 reflects Pennsylvania's highest effective tax rate of 1.663%, while the Cost Score of 62.5 pairs with a median home value of $276,100 and rent of $1,326. Combined, these pressures severely limit disposable income.

Only for high earners tolerating steep costs

Lehigh County suits professionals and families earning well above the county median who can absorb premium housing and tax bills without lifestyle sacrifice. Unless you're in the top income quartile, this county's costs likely outweigh its economic opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.5Cost62.5SafetyComing SoonHealth72.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome34Risk6.1WaterComing Soon
🏛55.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.1
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 Lehigh County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sonoma County
California
56.2
Median income: $102,840
Cheshire County
New Hampshire
56.2
Median income: $81,001
Alexandria city
Virginia
56.2
Median income: $113,638
Riverside County
California
56.3
Median income: $89,672
Allegany County
New York
56.3
Median income: $61,233

Deep Dives

Lehigh County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lehigh County

via TaxByCounty

Lehigh's taxes rank among the nation's highest

Lehigh County's effective tax rate of 1.663% ranks in the top quartile nationally, 27% above the national median of 1.31%. The median property tax of $4,591 significantly exceeds the national median of $2,690, making Lehigh one of the highest-taxed counties in the U.S.

Highest-taxed county in Pennsylvania

Lehigh ranks at or near the top of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with an effective rate of 1.663%, 26% above the state average of 1.317%. It stands as one of the Commonwealth's most tax-burdened communities.

Significantly outpaces all regional peers

Lehigh's 1.663% rate exceeds every comparison county, surpassing Lackawanna County (1.532%), Lawrence County (1.451%), and Lebanon County (1.399%) by wide margins. Even Lancaster County (1.411%) and Jefferson County (1.114%) pay substantially less per dollar of home value.

Median home costs $4,591 in annual taxes

A homeowner with Lehigh County's median home value of $276,100 pays approximately $4,591 per year in property taxes at the 1.663% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $4,669; without one, it drops to $4,448.

Assessment appeals offer substantial relief

Lehigh County's high tax rates make assessment accuracy critical—an overvalued property here costs significantly more annually than elsewhere. Filing an appeal with the county assessor should be a priority if your home's assessed value seems inflated relative to recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lehigh County

via CostByCounty

Lehigh faces Pennsylvania's highest rent burden

Lehigh County renters dedicate 20.5% of their $77,493 median household income to rent—the highest ratio in this dataset and well above the national affordability comfort zone. Despite earning above the national median of $74,755, Lehigh households face the steepest relative housing costs.

State's most strained rental market

Lehigh County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, marking it as the state's most affordability-stressed county in this analysis. The $1,326 median rent towers over the state average of $960, creating genuine hardship for renters.

Lehigh commands region's steepest rents

Lehigh renters pay $1,326 monthly—$596 more than Juniata County and $239 more than nearby Lancaster County—making it the region's most expensive rental market. Even homeowners face pressure: the $1,420 monthly ownership cost ranks highest among all eight counties analyzed.

Lehigh's housing squeeze

On a $77,493 annual income ($6,458 monthly), Lehigh households spend $1,326 on rent and $1,420 on ownership costs—totaling 44% of gross income on housing alone. This leaves only 56% for all other expenses: food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and savings.

Lehigh: reconsider if affordability matters

Lehigh County renters should seriously evaluate nearby Lancaster or Lebanon counties, where housing costs are $200+ cheaper monthly while maintaining strong job markets. If relocating beyond the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania counties like Juniata offer identical earning potential with one-third the rental costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lehigh County

via IncomeByCounty

Lehigh exceeds national income average

Lehigh County's median household income of $77,493 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $2,738, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. The county's diverse economy and proximity to major metros support above-average earnings.

Top tier earner in Pennsylvania

At $77,493, Lehigh County ranks meaningfully above Pennsylvania's median of $69,614 by $7,879 annually. The county is the second-highest earner in this eight-county analysis, trailing only Lancaster County.

Regional income powerhouse

Lehigh households earn $793 more than Lebanon County and $14,172 more than Jefferson County, anchoring the upper tier regionally. Only Lancaster's $83,703 exceeds Lehigh's strong $77,493 median.

High housing costs strain budgets slightly

Despite strong incomes, Lehigh's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio is the region's highest, reflecting elevated housing prices in the Allentown metro area. Median home values of $276,100 require households earning above-county-median incomes for comfortable ownership.

Premium income despite housing pressures

Lehigh's per capita income of $41,804 is among the region's highest, enabling aggressive retirement savings and investment despite housing costs. Households should prioritize maxing 401(k) contributions and exploring real estate equity building as housing prices appreciate.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lehigh County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy keeps pace with U.S. average

Lehigh County residents live to 78.0 years on average, nearly matching the U.S. average of 79.3 years and ranking among the best in Pennsylvania. The county's 19.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17.9%, suggesting pockets of chronic disease despite strong longevity.

Strong longevity, above-state coverage rates

At 78.0 years, Lehigh County's life expectancy exceeds Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average by 1.6 years, placing it among the state's best performers. Its 7.3% uninsured rate is near the state average of 7.0%, indicating relatively equitable coverage access.

Highest primary care provider density regionally

Lehigh County's 96 primary care providers per 100K is the highest in the eight-county region, enabling robust preventive care access. At 78.0 years life expectancy, it ranks second only to Lancaster County (78.8), showing strong translation of provider availability into health outcomes.

Healthcare infrastructure drives strong outcomes

With 96 primary care doctors per 100K—the region's highest—Lehigh County enables routine preventive care and early disease detection. Mental health support at 258 per 100K, combined with near-universal insurance coverage at 92.7%, creates conditions for comprehensive health maintenance.

Maintain coverage for continuous care access

Lehigh County's 7.3% uninsured rate is near the state average, but roughly 9,200 residents still lack coverage and its benefits. Check healthcare.gov annually to ensure your family has a plan that leverages the county's abundant primary care and mental health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lehigh County

via RiskByCounty

Lehigh County faces above-average multi-hazard risk

Lehigh County's composite risk score of 93.89 and "Relatively Moderate" rating place it 26 points above Pennsylvania's 67.45 state average. This substantial elevation reflects significant vulnerability across multiple hazard categories, approaching the state's highest-risk tier.

Third-highest risk county in Pennsylvania

Lehigh ranks among the top three counties in Pennsylvania for composite disaster risk, with only Lancaster (95.04) and Luzerne (91.63) counties exceeding its exposure. This positions Lehigh as one of the state's most hazard-prone regions.

Riskiest county in the Lehigh Valley

Lehigh's 93.89 score substantially exceeds neighboring Northampton County (88.70) and Carbon County (81.50), making it the most exposed county in the eastern Pennsylvania cluster. This pattern reflects Lehigh's unique concentration of overlapping hazards.

Tornadoes, flooding, and earthquakes pose extreme danger

Lehigh County faces extreme tornado risk (87.37), severe flood risk (95.36), and significant earthquake danger (89.79), with hurricane exposure (90.20) compounding the threat. Wildfire risk (30.31) remains comparatively modest, but the convergence of other hazards is severe.

Comprehensive coverage and reinforcement critical

Flood insurance is essential in Lehigh County; ensure you have coverage through NFIP or private policies immediately. Reinforce your home for seismic activity, install storm shutters and wind-resistant roofing, and establish a safe room for tornado season to address your county's extreme multi-hazard exposure.

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.