CountyScore

Los Angeles County

California · CA

#49 in California
54.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Los Angeles County, California

Los Angeles Slightly Above National Average

Los Angeles County's composite score of 54.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by a modest 4.6 points, placing it just into the upper half of U.S. counties. Despite housing 13 million people and significant economic output, the county's overall livability score reflects the cost-of-living trade-off.

Below California's State Average

Los Angeles County's score of 54.6 falls below California's state average of 61.3, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in the state despite its economic dominance. The gap reflects the region's extreme housing costs outweighing its income advantages.

Highest Incomes and Reasonable Taxes

Los Angeles leads the eight counties profiled with the highest median household income at $87,760 and an income score of 40.7. The county's tax score of 82.7 and effective rate of 0.694% rank among the lowest, providing some relief on the income side.

Housing Costs Severely Unaffordable

Los Angeles County's cost score of just 37.0 reflects a median home value of $783,300 and median rent of $1,893/month—the highest among all eight counties. Data on safety, schools, health, and environmental quality remain unavailable, but housing affordability is the clear livability constraint.

For High Earners Tolerating High Costs

Los Angeles County suits well-compensated professionals and established families who can absorb the region's extreme housing costs and enjoy its urban economy and amenities. For anyone requiring affordable housing or modest incomes, the county's livability equation simply doesn't work.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.7Cost37SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.7Risk0WaterComing Soon
🏛82.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠37
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0
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 Los Angeles County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kankakee County
Illinois
54.4
Median income: $68,325
Hunterdon County
New Jersey
54.4
Median income: $139,453
San Diego County
California
54.3
Median income: $102,285
Putnam County
New York
54.2
Median income: $127,405
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
54.1
Median income: $86,266

Deep Dives

Los Angeles County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Los Angeles County

via TaxByCounty

LA County taxes reflect high property values

Los Angeles County's effective tax rate of 0.694% sits slightly below California's state average of 0.714%, but its median property tax of $5,438 more than doubles the national median of $2,690. The gap reflects LA County's sky-high median home value of $783,300, well above the national median of $281,900.

Second-highest taxes in California overall

Los Angeles County's median property tax of $5,438 ranks among the highest in California, exceeded only by the wealthiest coastal counties. Despite having a slightly lower effective rate than the state average, LA County's enormous property values create substantial annual tax bills.

Tax burden scaled to premium property values

LA County's $783,300 median home value far exceeds neighbors like Madera County ($367,700) and Merced County ($368,400), explaining why its $5,438 median property tax is 2–3 times higher. However, LA County's 0.694% effective rate is actually lower than many of these inland neighbors.

Los Angeles County property tax reality

A typical LA County homeowner with a $783,300 home pays approximately $5,438 in annual property taxes at the 0.694% effective rate. Adding mortgage-related assessments and voter-approved bonds can push the annual bill closer to $6,077 for financed properties.

LA County assessment errors are common

In a county with such high property values, even small assessment errors translate to significant annual tax savings through appeals. LA County homeowners experiencing declining home values or assessment inaccuracies can file appeals to correct overassessments and reclaim overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Los Angeles County

via CostByCounty

LA renters pay well above national average

Los Angeles County's 25.9% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the national average, requiring renters to devote nearly one-quarter of household income to housing alone. Despite a strong median income of $87,760—$13,000 above the national median—LA's median rent of $1,893 still creates affordability pressures unknown to most American counties.

LA ranks among California's priciest markets

Los Angeles County's 25.9% rent-to-income ratio sits above California's state average of 22.4%, placing it in the state's costlier half. With a median rent of $1,893—up 17% from the state average—LA remains a premium market even by California's expensive standards.

LA's rents dominate the Southern California coast

Los Angeles County's median rent of $1,893 significantly exceeds inland alternatives like Madera County ($1,307) and San Bernardino-area counties, reflecting LA's global appeal and coastal premium. The county's economic gravity pulls up housing costs across the broader region.

LA housing claims one-quarter of all income

Los Angeles renters pay $1,893 monthly while homeowners shoulder $2,390, amounts that reflect the county's world-class economy and limited housing supply. At a median household income of $87,760, LA's housing costs still consume $25,900 annually in rent alone, straining even above-average earners.

LA demands high income to afford comfortably

Moving to Los Angeles requires confidence in earning above the county median—renters and buyers here compete fiercely for limited housing, driving prices upward. If relocating, budget for $1,893+ rent or $2,390+ monthly ownership costs and ensure your income trajectory justifies the premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Los Angeles County

via IncomeByCounty

Los Angeles outearns most American counties

Los Angeles County's median household income of $87,760 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 17%, reflecting its status as a major economic and employment hub. The county ranks in the top third nationally despite California's high cost of living.

Los Angeles edges out California's income average

At $87,760, Los Angeles County's median household income is just 1% above California's state average of $87,001, placing it squarely in California's middle tier. The county benefits from diverse industries and access to high-wage employment sectors.

LA's income dominates surrounding Southern California

Los Angeles County ($87,760) substantially outearns comparable urban regions in California, though specific neighbor data is limited in this set. The county's size, economic diversity, and major employer base drive income above statewide averages.

Housing remains a major cost burden despite higher incomes

Los Angeles County residents spend 25.9% of income on rent—hitting the affordability ceiling—while median home values of $783,300 require dual high-income households. Despite above-average earnings, housing costs consume a larger share of household budgets than recommended.

LA residents should maximize income gains wisely

With median incomes above national levels, Los Angeles County households have capacity for aggressive investing and wealth-building, but housing costs demand careful planning. Diversifying investments, maximizing retirement contributions, and exploring remote work flexibility can help build lasting wealth despite high living costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Los Angeles County

via HealthByCounty

LA County tops national life expectancy

Los Angeles County residents live an average of 79.4 years, outpacing the U.S. average of 78.9 years by half a year. However, nearly 1 in 5 residents still report poor or fair health, reflecting disparities within the county's 10 million-person population.

LA outperforms state health average

At 79.4 years, Los Angeles County's life expectancy exceeds California's state average of 78.5 years, placing it among the state's healthier large counties. The county's strength in healthcare infrastructure helps drive this above-average outcome despite significant population diversity.

Leads peers on provider availability

Los Angeles County offers 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 478 mental health providers per 100,000—both significantly higher than most neighboring counties. Only Marin and Mendocino counties exceed LA's mental health provider density, though LA's scale ensures broader overall access.

High uninsured rate despite provider access

At 9.4%, Los Angeles County's uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.2%, affecting roughly 944,000 residents across the county. Despite robust primary care infrastructure at 75 providers per 100,000, insurance barriers prevent many from accessing those resources.

Don't let cost prevent care access

With nearly 1 in 10 LA County residents uninsured, Covered California offers subsidized plans based on income to make coverage affordable. Even with strong healthcare infrastructure, being uninsured means paying full price for emergency care and missing preventive visits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Los Angeles County

via RiskByCounty

LA County faces the highest risks

Los Angeles County scores a perfect 100.0 on the composite risk scale, rating "Very High"—the worst performance among all U.S. counties measured. The county faces extreme exposure across every major disaster category except hurricanes.

California's most at-risk county

Los Angeles County ranks 1st in composite disaster risk across all California counties, far exceeding the state average of 88.7 and dominating every risk comparison. Its scale, density, and geographic exposure create unmatched vulnerability.

Far riskier than surrounding areas

Los Angeles County's 100.0 score dramatically exceeds all neighboring counties, including Ventura and San Bernardino, reflecting its massive population, extended coastline, and fault-line exposure. No peer county approaches LA's risk concentration.

Earthquake, wildfire, and flood threats

Los Angeles County faces perfect or near-perfect scores in earthquake risk (100.0), wildfire risk (99.9), and flood risk (100.0), creating a perfect storm of natural hazards. Tornado risk (97.7) adds a fourth significant threat, making LA the nation's most comprehensively exposed county.

Maximum insurance and preparedness

LA County residents must secure earthquake insurance, dedicated wildfire coverage, and robust flood insurance to protect their homes against the county's extreme, multi-hazard risk profile. Establish emergency plans and secure your home's structural integrity against all four major threats.

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.