countyscore
41.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 84.6Health 65.6Water Quality 57.8

County Report Card

About Martin County, Florida

Martin exceeds national average slightly

Martin County's score of 41.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by just 8.4 points, positioning it slightly above the 50th percentile. However, this modest lead masks sharp trade-offs between high incomes and severe housing affordability challenges.

Slightly below Florida's average

Martin scores 41.6 against Florida's state average of 45.1, ranking in the middle-to-lower range of the state's counties. It underperforms despite strong income metrics, indicating housing and cost burdens are dragging down overall livability.

Affluence and health care lead the way

Martin County's income score of 84.6 is exceptional, with a median household income of $80,701, and its health score of 65.6 reflects access to quality healthcare. These strengths indicate a prosperous, educated population with strong wellness infrastructure.

Housing costs price out most families

Martin's cost score of just 12.5 reflects median home values of $386,500 and rents of $1,499/month—among Florida's highest. This affordability crisis limits opportunity for middle-income families despite the county's other advantages.

Perfect for affluent professionals and retirees

Martin County suits high-income earners ($80k+) willing to accept premium real estate costs for excellent healthcare and educated communities. This is a wealth-dependent county where financial security matters more than livability diversity.

2040608010053.611.44665.63784.65.957.814.1Tax53.6Cost11.4Safety46Health65.6Schools37Income84.6Risk5.9Water57.8Weather14.141.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Martin County DNA

Foverall

How Martin County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Martin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (84.6/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (14.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.6
Cost
11.4-36.6
Safety
46-9
Health
65.6+15.599999999999994
Schools
37-17
Income
84.6+33.599999999999994
Risk
5.9-41.1
Water
57.8
Weather
14.1-41.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Martin County

Whether buying or refinancing in Martin County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$432,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,569/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$432,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$62,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $82,943/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Berrien County
Georgia
Median income: $52,876
41.5
Muscatine County
Iowa
Median income: $69,396
41.5
Morton County
Kansas
Median income: $66,447
41.5
Blue Earth County
Minnesota
Median income: $74,477
41.5
Big Horn County
Montana
Median income: $58,750
41.5
Lorain County
Ohio
Median income: $73,347
41.5
Armstrong County
Texas
Median income: $72,750
41.5
Kerr County
Texas
Median income: $69,395
41.5

Nearby counties

St. Lucie County
Florida
36.2
Palm Beach County
Florida
37.3
Okeechobee County
Florida
31.5
Indian River County
Florida
44.9
Glades County
Florida
57
Highlands County
Florida
47.4
Broward County
Florida
41.6
Hendry County
Florida
33.7

Deep Dives

Martin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Martin County

via TaxByCounty

Martin County taxes run above national average

Martin County's effective tax rate of 0.807% ranks above the national median, making it a higher-tax county relative to most of America. At $3,120 median property tax on a $386,500 median home value, Martin residents pay significantly more than the national median of $2,690.

Martin ranks among Florida's highest-taxed

Martin County's 0.807% effective rate is notably higher than Florida's 0.731% state average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's 67 counties. The county's median tax bill of $3,120 is 66% above the state median of $1,885, a gap driven by both higher property values and a steeper tax rate.

Martin charges more than regional peers

Martin County's 0.807% rate significantly exceeds nearby Miami-Dade (0.827%) and Nassau County (0.729%), making it one of South Florida's pricier tax jurisdictions on a percentage basis. The county's combination of high property values and a above-average rate creates the largest tax bills in this region.

What Martin homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Martin County's median home value of $386,500 pays approximately $3,120 annually in property taxes at the county's 0.807% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill climbs to about $3,560 when accounting for escrow and related charges.

Many Martin owners may be overassessed

Given Martin County's higher-than-average tax rate, it's especially worth reviewing your property assessment to ensure it matches fair market value. A successful appeal through the county property appraiser's office costs nothing upfront and could result in meaningful annual savings on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Martin County

via IncomeByCounty

Martin outearns the nation

Martin County's median household income of $80,701 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $5,946, placing the county in the upper-middle tier nationally. This advantage reflects Martin's affluent communities and strong regional economy.

Well above Florida's average

Martin's median household income of $80,701 ranks among Florida's top counties, surpassing the state average of $65,468 by $15,233. The county consistently ranks in the upper quartile for household earnings statewide.

Comparable to Monroe County

Martin County's $80,701 income mirrors Monroe County's $82,430, though Martin residents pay considerably less for housing—a median home value of $386,500 versus Monroe's $723,800. This makes Martin an attractive option for affluent households seeking relative affordability on Florida's coast.

Strong income covers costs

Martin's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% is well below the warning threshold, indicating housing costs consume a modest share of earnings. With both strong household incomes and manageable housing ratios, Martin residents have substantial discretionary income for savings and investment.

Leverage your advantage

Martin County's above-average income positions residents well for wealth-building through diversified investments, real estate, and retirement planning. Consider maximizing tax-advantaged accounts and exploring long-term wealth strategies with a financial professional.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Martin County

via CrimeByCounty

Martin County Maintains Exceptional Safety Standards

With a safety score of 98.1, Martin County is a leader in regional public safety. Its total crime rate of 1207.0 per 100K is nearly half the national average of 2,385.5. Residents benefit from a safety landscape that far exceeds national norms.

Martin County vs the Sunshine State

Martin County's total crime rate of 1207.0 is slightly higher than the Florida state average of 1027.9. Despite this, its safety score of 98.1 nearly matches the state-wide average of 98.4. Ten reporting agencies coordinate efforts to keep the county's safety metrics competitive.

A Safer Alternative to Southern Neighbors

Martin County (1207.0) reports much lower crime rates than Miami-Dade (2457.1) to the south. It also maintains a more secure profile than neighboring Okeechobee County (1878.6). This makes the county one of the more tranquil coastal areas in the region.

Violent Crime Remains Low in Martin

The local violent crime rate is just 229.6 per 100K, which is well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime accounts for 977.4 incidents per 100K, showing that serious personal crimes are relatively rare. These numbers reflect a community with a strong focus on order and safety.

Staying Vigilant in Martin County

Residents should leverage the county's safe reputation by practicing consistent home security habits. Installing reliable alarm systems and ensuring all entry points are locked provides peace of mind. Proactive measures are the best way to keep property crime rates trending downward.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Martin County

via WeatherByCounty

Atlantic Coast Warmth Surpasses National Median

Martin County averages 74.5°F annually, nearly 21 degrees higher than the 54°F national median. This tropical Atlantic climate maintains warm temperatures throughout the entire year.

A Top-Tier Warmth Rank in Florida

The county's 74.5°F average is significantly higher than the Florida state average of 71.1°F. It ranks among the warmest coastal counties on the state's eastern side.

Cooler and Wetter Than Miami-Dade

Martin County is cooler than Miami-Dade, which averages 76.6°F, but it is wetter. Martin receives 63.4 inches of rain annually, compared to 62.0 inches in Miami-Dade.

Temperate Coastal Summers and Warm Winters

Despite the heat, Martin only sees 84 days above 90°F due to ocean breezes. Summers average 82.1°F and winters remain very warm at 66.0°F with no recorded snow.

Managing High Rainfall and Humidity

With 63.4 inches of rain annually, Martin is one of the wettest counties in the state. Residents should invest in high-quality rain gear and maintain home exteriors against high moisture levels.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Martin County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Coastal Soils

Martin County features highly acidic soil with an average pH of 4.84. This is notably more acidic than the national median of 6.5 and slightly below the Florida state average of 4.88.

Sandy Shores and Low Clay

The soil is predominantly sand at 76.5%, with very low silt and clay levels at 0.8% and 1.5% respectively. This granular mix allows for rapid water movement but limits the soil's natural ability to hold onto mineral nutrients.

Rich in Organic Matter

With an organic matter content of 14.21%, Martin County far exceeds both the state average of 8.03% and the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.127 in/in also beats the state benchmark, signaling strong potential for plant growth.

Strong Local Soil Quality

While specific drainage and taxonomic data are unavailable, the county maintains a solid soil score of 36.6. This score sits above the state average of 31.1, suggesting favorable conditions compared to many neighboring regions.

Tropical Paradise Potential

Classified in hardiness zone 10b, this region is perfect for tropical and subtropical landscaping. Gardeners can take advantage of the high organic matter to grow lush hibiscus and productive mango trees.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Martin County

via LawnByCounty

Martin's Tropical Lawn Maintenance Battle

With a lawn difficulty score of just 9.2, Martin County is one of the toughest places in the nation to maintain a perfect yard. This Zone 10b environment is nearly five times harder to manage than the typical American county.

Heavy Rainfall and Constant Growth

Martin receives a staggering 63.4 inches of annual precipitation, far exceeding the national ideal of 30-50 inches. This moisture, combined with 8,974 growing degree days, means grass grows aggressively and requires frequent mowing to prevent thatch buildup.

Combating Acidic and Sandy Soil

The soil is 76.5% sand and highly acidic with a pH of 4.84, which is well below the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0. Lawns here require regular lime applications and frequent fertilization to compensate for nutrients leaching through the sandy base.

Navigating Prolonged Dry Spells

Despite the high annual rain, the county has endured 42 weeks of drought over the past year. Use moisture sensors and rain barrels to manage water efficiently while 100% of the area remains in severe drought conditions.

Planting for Year-Round Green

Bermuda and Zoysia are excellent choices for this tropical Zone 10b climate. Since the frost window is extremely narrow in late January, you can plant almost any time, though spring offers the best growth surge.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martin County's county score?
Martin County, Florida has a composite county score of 41.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Martin County rank among counties in Florida?
Martin County ranks #45 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Martin County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Martin County is $3,322, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Martin County a tax score of 53.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Martin County?
The median household income in Martin County, Florida is $82,943 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Martin County earns an income score of 84.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Martin County, Florida a good place to live?
Martin County scores 41.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #45 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Martin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Martin County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.