CountyScore

Leon County

Florida · FL

#37 in Florida
62.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Leon County, Florida

Leon County Outperforms National Baseline

Leon County's composite score of 66.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 33%, reflecting above-average performance across measured dimensions. This solid national ranking indicates competitive livability fundamentals relative to most U.S. counties.

Slightly Below Florida Average

Leon County scores 66.5 compared to Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking it in the middle tier of state counties. The county remains competitive despite this modest gap, balancing affordability with community assets.

Reasonable Housing and Tax Advantages

Leon County's cost score of 67.3 supports median rent of $1,230 and home values around $279,800, offering better affordability than many peer markets. The tax score of 79.1 with an effective rate of 0.824% provides further economic relief for residents.

Below-Average Income Trajectory

The income score of 25.9 reflects a median household income of $65,074, moderating the county's overall livability profile. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, preventing comprehensive quality-of-life assessment.

Attractive for Value-Conscious Professionals

Leon County suits professionals and government workers who prioritize cost efficiency and tax management over maximum earning potential. The county's balanced profile appeals to those seeking reasonable housing prices and lower tax burdens in a mid-tier Florida market.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.1Cost67.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk6.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.6
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 Leon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Brevard County
Florida
62.6
Median income: $75,817
Black Hawk County
Iowa
62.6
Median income: $64,581
Yazoo County
Mississippi
62.6
Median income: $40,974
Clay County
Missouri
62.6
Median income: $86,150
Halifax County
North Carolina
62.6
Median income: $45,071

Deep Dives

Leon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Leon County

via TaxByCounty

Leon County taxes exceed national norms

Leon County's effective tax rate of 0.824% surpasses the national median of 0.71%, and its median tax of $2,305 sits below the national median of $2,690. This reflects moderate property values paired with above-average tax rates, a pattern common in state capital regions.

High-tax county in Florida

Leon County's effective rate of 0.824% exceeds Florida's 0.731% average, placing it among the state's higher-tax jurisdictions. Its median tax of $2,305 tops the state median of $1,885 by 22%, largely due to Tallahassee's role as the state capital and government employment hub.

Highest taxes in the north-central cluster

Leon's 0.824% rate ranks above all other surveyed north-central counties, including Liberty (0.877%), Madison (0.876%), Lafayette (0.646%), and Levy (0.648%). Its median tax of $2,305 reflects higher property values driven by Tallahassee's stable, white-collar economy.

Annual taxes on Leon County homes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $279,800 pays approximately $2,305 in annual property taxes—roughly $192 per month. With mortgage fees, the total can reach $2,415, placing Leon among the pricier Florida counties for tax obligations.

Review your assessment against recent sales

Leon County homeowners should verify their assessed value against comparable recent sales; overassessments are common even in stable markets. Filing a value appeal can reduce your annual tax burden, particularly if your home hasn't appreciated at the same pace as the county average.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Leon County

via CostByCounty

Leon County tracks the state average

Leon County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.7% tracks remarkably close to Florida's statewide average of 22.5%, reflecting a balanced housing market. Renters pay $1,230 monthly on a median income of $65,074, putting the county near the state's middle ground for affordability.

Right in Florida's middle ground

At 22.7%, Leon County's rent-to-income ratio sits virtually at Florida's state average, positioning it as a representative case across the state's housing landscape. This balance makes Leon a useful benchmark for comparing other Florida counties' affordability.

Balanced compared to rural alternatives

Leon County's $1,230 median rent exceeds nearby rural counties like Levy ($826) and Madison ($819) but remains substantially cheaper than coastal hubs like Lee ($1,597). As the home of Florida's capital and universities, Leon maintains a more urban cost structure than surrounding rural areas.

Renters and owners share similar burdens

Leon County renters pay $1,230 monthly (22.7% of income), while homeowners spend $1,221 on mortgages for median homes at $279,800—an unusual alignment suggesting balanced market pressures. This equilibrium means both renting and owning consume roughly one-fifth of household income, leaving modest but adequate room for other expenses.

Leon County: the state's middle path

Leon County offers a middle-ground housing scenario: less expensive than coastal counties but pricier than rural alternatives, with a 22.7% rent burden near the state average. If you want urban amenities including a state capital and university community without extreme housing costs, Leon delivers a balanced option that mirrors statewide norms.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Leon County

via IncomeByCounty

Leon County trails national income standard

Leon County's median household income of $65,074 falls about 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $38,777 exceeds the national average, indicating wealth concentration among higher earners.

Nearly matches Florida state average

At $65,074, Leon County's median household income is nearly identical to Florida's state average of $65,468. As Florida's capital county, Leon's economy centers on government employment, education, and professional services.

Middle income in north-central region

Leon County's $65,074 median income ranks below Lake County ($69,956) but above Lafayette ($60,692) and Levy ($53,805). The county's university presence and state government employment create more stable wages than surrounding rural counties.

Housing remains relatively affordable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 22.7%, Leon residents spend slightly less than one-quarter of earnings on housing—staying within the affordability sweet spot. The median home value of $279,800 is accessible for households at the county median with standard financing.

Government pensions boost retirement planning

Leon County residents employed in government and education benefit from defined-benefit pensions, creating a strong retirement foundation. Supplementing these with personal savings and investment accounts accelerates wealth building beyond pension income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Leon County

via HealthByCounty

Leon County supports healthy lifespans

Leon County residents achieve a life expectancy of 77.1 years, slightly below the U.S. average of 78.9 but respectable among Florida counties. The county's 17% poor/fair health rate matches the national average, indicating steady population health management.

Best insurance access in Florida

Leon County leads Florida with the lowest uninsured rate at 10.7%—4 percentage points below the state average of 14.4%. With a life expectancy of 77.1 years exceeding Florida's 75.8-year average, Leon demonstrates the correlation between insurance access and health outcomes.

Outstanding provider density regionally

Leon County's 89 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank highest among comparable Florida counties, far exceeding Lafayette (12) and Levy (11). The county's 297 mental health providers per 100,000 is the densest mental health workforce in the state.

Premium healthcare access statewide

With just 10.7% of residents uninsured—the best rate in Florida—Leon County residents have strong access to medical care. The exceptional density of 89 primary care providers and 297 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ensures residents can find specialists and schedule appointments efficiently.

Maintain your insurance advantage

Leon County's exceptional insurance coverage rate demonstrates the value of staying enrolled—keep your health plan current and take advantage of preventive services. If uninsured, explore marketplace plans immediately to join the vast majority of Leon residents with continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Leon County

via RiskByCounty

Leon County's disaster risk exceeds national norms

Leon County's composite risk score of 93.35 with a 'Relatively Moderate' rating significantly outpaces the national average. The county experiences elevated exposure across hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods—a trio of hazards that makes year-round disaster awareness essential.

Second-riskiest county in Florida

Leon County's score of 93.35 exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 and ranks among the state's top hazard-exposure counties. Only Lee County (99.05) outpaces Leon, making it the second-most vulnerable county in the state.

Part of Florida's highest-risk cluster

Leon County's 93.35 score aligns with Lake County (91.92) and reflects the elevated risk running through central and northern Florida. The neighboring patterns suggest a regional vulnerability corridor affecting multiple population centers across the state.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate the threat profile

Leon County residents face tornado risk at 97.11 and hurricane risk at 97.12—nearly identical extreme exposures across both hazards. Flood risk at 91.51 adds a third significant threat, creating a multi-season disaster environment.

Multi-hazard insurance and hardening are critical

Leon County homeowners should secure wind/hurricane insurance, understand flood risk in their specific neighborhoods, and consider community shelter plans for tornado season. Strengthening garage doors, securing roof attachments, and identifying safe interior rooms provide life-saving protection when warnings activate.

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.