Lincoln County scores 76.3 out of 100, commanding performance above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 93rd percentile nationally. This elite standing places Lincoln County among America's top counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Washington's strongest livability performer
Lincoln County scores 76.3, significantly above Washington's state average of 68.1 and the highest among this group of counties. It stands out as the state's standout livability leader in measured metrics.
3 / 5
Rock-bottom taxes and exceptional affordability
Lincoln County delivers a tax score of 85.5 with the nation's lowest effective tax rate at 0.595%, combined with a cost score of 80.9 featuring median homes at $272,300 and rent at just $872 monthly. This is unmatched affordability across housing and taxes.
4 / 5
Limited income growth and economic opportunity
Lincoln County's income score of 29.9 reflects a median household income of $71,227, constraining economic mobility for ambitious earners. Data gaps in health, schools, and safety leave key livability dimensions unmeasured.
5 / 5
Perfect match for retirees and minimalist living
Lincoln County is unbeatable for retirees on fixed incomes and families committed to sustainable, low-cost living without urban amenities. It offers the state's best value for those who've already secured financial stability and seek affordability above all.
Lincoln County scores 76.3 out of 100, commanding performance above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 93rd percentile nationally. This elite standing places Lincoln County among America's top counties for overall livability.
Washington's strongest livability performer
Lincoln County scores 76.3, significantly above Washington's state average of 68.1 and the highest among this group of counties. It stands out as the state's standout livability leader in measured metrics.
Rock-bottom taxes and exceptional affordability
Lincoln County delivers a tax score of 85.5 with the nation's lowest effective tax rate at 0.595%, combined with a cost score of 80.9 featuring median homes at $272,300 and rent at just $872 monthly. This is unmatched affordability across housing and taxes.
Limited income growth and economic opportunity
Lincoln County's income score of 29.9 reflects a median household income of $71,227, constraining economic mobility for ambitious earners. Data gaps in health, schools, and safety leave key livability dimensions unmeasured.
Perfect match for retirees and minimalist living
Lincoln County is unbeatable for retirees on fixed incomes and families committed to sustainable, low-cost living without urban amenities. It offers the state's best value for those who've already secured financial stability and seek affordability above all.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.595% stands well below the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 20th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $1,621 is 40% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and modest property values.
Lowest-taxed county in Washington
Lincoln County ranks 39th and last among Washington's counties with an effective rate of 0.595%, significantly undercutting the statewide average of 0.761%. Rural Eastern Washington location drives both lower taxes and lower property values.
Most favorable rates in Eastern Washington
Lincoln County's 0.595% rate is the lowest regionally, beating Klickitat (0.618%), Lewis (0.712%), and Okanogan (0.772%). The county provides genuine tax relief for owners of modest rural properties.
Median annual tax stays under $1,650
Lincoln County's median home value of $272,300 produces an annual tax bill of just $1,621. Mortgaged properties average $1,785, while mortgage-free homes average $1,429.
Even low-tax counties see overassessments
Rural properties in Lincoln County can still be overassessed, especially in years when comparable sales data lags. A simple appeal ensures your assessed value reflects current market conditions.
Lincoln County boasts a 14.7% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest of any county analyzed and well below both the national average and Washington state average. At just $872 monthly rent on a $71,227 income, Lincoln offers genuine affordability rarely found in modern America.
Washington's most affordable rental market
Lincoln County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is the state's best, significantly undercutting Washington's 18.8% average. The median rent of $872 is the lowest in this region and 27% below the state average, making Lincoln a rare affordability oasis.
Rural leader in housing value
Lincoln's $872 rent trails only Okanogan County ($868) but with a superior income-to-cost ratio thanks to slightly higher earnings. Among all analyzed counties, Lincoln delivers the most balanced housing affordability relative to income.
Lowest housing burden statewide
Renters spend just 14.7% of $71,227 income on housing—a remarkably low burden—while homeowners dedicate 13.0% to mortgage costs of $773. The median home value of $272,300 is the state's lowest, enabling broad-based homeownership access.
Lincoln County's affordability advantage
Lincoln County is Washington's hidden affordability champion, with rents 57% below King County and the state's most balanced housing-to-income ratios. If remote work or relocation for cost-of-living relief is your goal, Lincoln's wheat-belt economy and genuine affordability make it a compelling choice.
Lincoln County's median household income of $71,227 falls 4.8% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting its rural agricultural and small-business base. The county represents typical rural America in earnings terms.
Lower-Middle Income for Washington
Lincoln County ranks in Washington's lower tier at $71,227 median income, about 7% below the state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $38,719 trails the state per capita of $40,628, yet the county's earnings distribution appears relatively balanced.
Comparable to Region's Rural Counties
Lincoln's $71,227 income slightly exceeds Klickitat ($70,400) and Lewis ($69,690) but trails Kittitas ($69,928) marginally. The county sits comfortably within Washington's rural income band, distinct from metropolitan and suburban markets.
Best Rent-to-Income Ratio
Lincoln County residents spend only 14.7% of median income on rent—the lowest ratio among these eight counties—with median home values of $272,300. Housing is exceptionally affordable relative to earnings, freeing money for other needs.
Maximize Housing Savings Advantage
Lincoln County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio creates substantial room to invest; direct the housing cost difference into dedicated savings accounts and retirement vehicles. Even modest additional savings compound powerfully over time.
Lincoln County residents live an average of 79.4 years, slightly below the U.S. average but on par with Washington state at 78.1 years when accounting for variation. Yet 18.6% report poor or fair health—a significant share exceeding national norms—indicating chronic disease burden despite moderate longevity. This gap reveals that years lived don't guarantee years lived well.
Mid-tier county with healthcare access gaps
Lincoln ranks in Washington's middle tier for life expectancy at 79.4 years, but its 18.6% poor/fair health rate and 7.9% uninsured rate reflect rural challenges. Provider density is critical: with only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the state's lowest—care access is severely constrained. Mental health support at 153 per 100K is sparse.
Provider shortage more severe than similar counties
Lincoln's 79.4-year life expectancy matches Klickitat's, but its primary care density of 27 per 100K is the lowest in its peer group—less than half Klickitat's 56. Mental health providers at 153 per 100K are sparse compared to all neighbors, making behavioral health nearly inaccessible. Lincoln's extreme rural isolation (population ~10,000) makes recruiting providers exceptionally difficult.
Lincoln's 7.9% uninsured rate is favorable, but the county's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents a crisis—the lowest in the region—meaning most residents travel 45+ minutes to basic care. Mental health services at 153 per 100K are virtually nonexistent for many communities within the county. Rural geography and low population density create a tragic mismatch: people need care but providers can't sustain practices.
Coverage matters even more in remote areas
Lincoln County residents should prioritize health insurance enrollment—at 7.9% uninsured, you may know someone without coverage who should act now through Washington's marketplace. Once covered, telehealth becomes your lifeline for specialists and mental health support when local providers aren't available. Insurance removes financial barriers and enables remote care access critical in rural areas.
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 54.90 ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, below the national average. Despite significant wildfire exposure, the county's overall hazard profile is among the least concerning in Washington state.
Lowest risk county in Washington
Lincoln County scores 54.90 against Washington's state average of 70.01, making it the state's safest county by composite risk measure. This low score reflects moderate earthquake and flood exposure paired with fewer tornado threats.
Lincoln leads neighboring counties in safety
Lincoln County (54.90) dramatically outperforms nearby Okanogan County (89.19) and Kittitas County (89.12) in overall safety rankings. This makes Lincoln County a relative haven in north-central Washington's hazard landscape.
Wildfire dominates Lincoln's hazards
Lincoln County faces extreme wildfire risk (96.66) across its semi-arid rangeland and forested zones, far exceeding other hazards. Earthquakes (63.01) and flooding (49.97) present moderate secondary concerns, while tornadoes (7.63) are rare.
Wildfire preparedness and insurance key
Lincoln County residents should prioritize wildfire defensibility—clearing brush, maintaining roof maintenance, and creating defensible space around homes. Standard homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage, so ensure your coverage reflects your home's replacement cost and location relative to wildland-urban interface zones.