CountyScore

Mariposa County

California · CA

#14 in California
63.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Mariposa County, California

Mariposa Ranks Above National Livability Median

Mariposa County's composite score of 66.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 16.9 points, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This strong performance reflects the mountain county's combination of low taxes and moderate housing costs.

Top Performer in California Rankings

Mariposa County scores 66.9 against California's state average of 61.3, earning it a place among the state's higher-ranking counties. The 5.6-point advantage reflects particularly strong performance in tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Lowest Taxes and Affordable Housing

Mariposa County leads the group with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.681% and the highest tax score of 83.1. With a cost score of 65.0, median rent of $1,268/month, and median home value of $358,000, the county offers genuine affordability in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Rural Incomes and Limited Data

The income score of 26.1 reflects a median household income of $65,378, typical of rural California mountain communities. Critical dimensions including safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unmeasured, leaving gaps in the full livability picture.

Perfect for Outdoors-Minded Budget Seekers

Mariposa County appeals to nature lovers, remote workers, and retirees seeking mountain living with the lowest tax burden in this group. If proximity to Yosemite, affordable housing, and minimal taxes matter more than urban amenities or high wages, Mariposa delivers exceptional value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost65SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.1Risk13.6WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.6
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 Mariposa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tehama County
California
63.9
Median income: $61,834
Bond County
Illinois
63.9
Median income: $61,603
Barnstable County
Massachusetts
63.9
Median income: $94,452
Bay County
Michigan
63.9
Median income: $60,523
Sunflower County
Mississippi
63.9
Median income: $40,265

Deep Dives

Mariposa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mariposa County

via TaxByCounty

Mariposa County taxes below national average

Mariposa County's effective tax rate of 0.681% is the lowest among surveyed California counties, falling well below the state average of 0.714%. With a median property tax of $2,437, Mariposa sits just below the national median of $2,690, despite its $358,000 median home value.

Among California's most affordable counties

Mariposa County ranks in the bottom tier statewide with a median property tax of $2,437, far below California's state average of $4,045. Its 0.681% effective rate is the lowest recorded among these surveyed counties, offering genuine tax relief for homeowners.

Best tax rate in the Sierra region

Mariposa County's 0.681% effective rate and $2,437 median tax are the lowest in the region, beating neighboring Madera County (0.700%, $2,575 tax) and Merced County (0.675% rate, though $2,487 tax). Its combination of moderate home values and low effective rate makes Mariposa among the state's best for tax-conscious buyers.

Mariposa County homeowner tax estimate

A Mariposa County homeowner with a $358,000 home pays roughly $2,437 in annual property taxes at the 0.681% effective rate. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total approaches $2,798 annually for financed properties.

Even low-tax Mariposa has appeal opportunities

Mariposa County homeowners can still benefit from property tax appeals if their assessments are outdated or overvalued. In a county with such favorable rates, any reduction through a successful appeal adds up over years of ownership.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mariposa County

via CostByCounty

Mariposa offers moderate California affordability

Mariposa County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above the national average but below many California counties, creating a middle-ground profile. With a median household income of $65,378 and rents of $1,268, Mariposa delivers mountain living without the extreme cost burden of coastal regions.

Mariposa ranks mid-range among California

Mariposa County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio edges above California's 22.4% state average, placing it slightly above median affordability for the state. The county's mountain location and modest economy create a balanced housing market between ultra-affordable rural counties and expensive urban centers.

Mariposa balances mountain and valley options

Mariposa's median rent of $1,268 sits between Lake County ($1,292) to the north and Madera County ($1,307) to the south, while its affordability ratio slightly trails both. The county's Yosemite gateway location differentiates it from purely agricultural or urban neighboring counties.

Nearly one-quarter goes toward housing

Mariposa renters spend $1,268 monthly while homeowners carry $1,326 in monthly costs against a $65,378 median household income. Housing claims 23.3% of household income, leaving reasonable resources for other expenses while maintaining mountain community access.

Mariposa suits outdoor enthusiasts with modest budgets

If you're relocating to California for mountain access and natural beauty, Mariposa County offers reasonable housing costs ($358,000 median home value) and gateway access to Yosemite National Park. Remote workers and outdoor professionals will find better affordability here than Bay Area or coastal alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mariposa County

via IncomeByCounty

Mariposa County trails the national median income

Mariposa County's median household income of $65,378 falls 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a rural mountain economy with seasonal and tourism-dependent employment. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally.

Mariposa ranks below California's income average

At $65,378, Mariposa County's median household income is 25% below California's state average of $87,001. The county ranks in the lower quartile among California's 58 counties.

Mariposa earns similarly to nearby rural counties

Mariposa County ($65,378) aligns closely with Merced ($65,044) and Lassen ($64,395), placing it in California's rural income peer group. Despite comparable median incomes, Mariposa's per capita income of $39,798 is notably higher, suggesting more evenly distributed earnings.

Mariposa's rent burden is reasonable for rural California

At 23.3%, Mariposa County's rent-to-income ratio stays below the 25% threshold, offering relatively affordable housing for its income level. Median home values of $358,000 require household savings but remain achievable for local earners.

Mariposa residents should leverage seasonal opportunities

Mariposa County's tourism-dependent economy creates both stability and income-growth opportunities for those with seasonal flexibility or entrepreneurial skills. Households should prioritize emergency savings during high-season earnings and explore remote work to supplement local income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mariposa County

via HealthByCounty

Mariposa nearly matches national average

Mariposa County residents live 78.3 years on average, just 0.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, roughly tracking national patterns across the small rural county.

Slight gap from California average

At 78.3 years, Mariposa County's life expectancy is 0.2 years below California's 78.5-year average, placing it near the state midpoint. The county's 6.7% uninsured rate falls below the state average of 7.2%.

Limited primary care in small county

Mariposa's 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank among the lowest in the region, only exceeding Lassen's 27. Mental health resources at 337 per 100,000 are moderate but constrained by the county's small population size.

Below-average uninsured rate masks access gaps

Mariposa achieves a relatively strong 6.7% uninsured rate compared to the state's 7.2%, but residents still face critical primary care scarcity. With just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 people, many residents must travel substantial distances for routine medical visits.

Secure coverage for your family

Mariposa's good insurance uptake reflects community health awareness—build on that by ensuring continuous coverage through Covered California. In a county with limited providers, having coverage removes cost barriers when you do need to access care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mariposa County

via RiskByCounty

Mariposa's moderate composite risk

Mariposa County scores 86.4 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating slightly below California's state average of 88.7. The small Sierra Nevada county faces manageable but real natural disaster exposure.

Mid-tier risk among California counties

Mariposa County ranks in the middle of California's 58 counties for composite disaster risk, neither among the highest nor lowest-risk communities. Its 86.4 score reflects moderate but meaningful hazard exposure.

Safer than surrounding mountain counties

Mariposa County's 86.4 risk score is considerably lower than neighboring Madera County (96.4) and other nearby mountain communities, making it one of the region's safer areas. Lower earthquake and flood risks distinguish it from adjacent counties.

Wildfire is the dominant hazard

Mariposa County's greatest natural disaster risk comes from wildfire, which scores 99.0 out of 100 and represents the county's primary concern. Earthquake (67.5) and flood (70.8) risks are notably lower than in neighboring counties.

Wildfire insurance is essential

Mariposa County residents should prioritize dedicated wildfire insurance and maintain defensible space around their homes. Standard earthquake coverage is advisable but represents a secondary concern relative to the county's extreme wildfire 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.