CountyScore

Mendocino County

California · CA

#22 in California
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Mendocino County, California

Mendocino Surpasses National Livability Benchmark

Mendocino County's composite score of 66.4 sits 16.4 points above the national median of 50.0, establishing it among America's more livable counties. This performance reflects the county's ability to blend rural character with reasonable affordability.

Solid Performer Among California Counties

Mendocino County scores 66.4 versus California's state average of 61.3, placing it above the middle tier of the state's counties. The 5.1-point margin reflects consistent strength in cost and tax dimensions.

Low Taxes and Modest Housing Costs

Mendocino County achieves a tax score of 82.7 with an effective rate of 0.695%, while its cost score of 64.3 supports median rent of $1,325/month and median home value of $486,000. These figures make the Sonoma County neighbor accessible compared to coastal Bay Area alternatives.

Rural Wage Constraints and Incomplete Data

With a median household income of $64,688 and an income score of 25.6, Mendocino reflects typical rural California earning levels. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are unavailable, limiting assessment of the county's full livability profile.

Ideal for Wine Country Lifestyle Seekers

Mendocino County suits creative professionals, retirees, and families drawn to rural Sonoma County living without extreme coastal prices. With wine country culture, coastal access, and manageable housing costs, it offers small-town California charm at reasonable expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.7Cost64.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk5.7WaterComing Soon
🏛82.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.7
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 Mendocino County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Maricopa County
Arizona
61.8
Median income: $85,518
Flagler County
Florida
61.8
Median income: $72,923
Jefferson County
Illinois
61.8
Median income: $61,102
Cowley County
Kansas
61.8
Median income: $58,263
Hampshire County
Massachusetts
61.8
Median income: $86,391

Deep Dives

Mendocino County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mendocino County

via TaxByCounty

Mendocino County taxes moderately above average

Mendocino County's effective tax rate of 0.695% sits just below California's state average of 0.714%. Its median property tax of $3,376 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting its $486,000 median home value, which is 72% higher than the national median of $281,900.

Mid-range taxes in California

Mendocino County's median property tax of $3,376 falls significantly below the California state average of $4,045, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 58 counties. Its 0.695% effective rate aligns with many of California's inland and wine-country regions.

Higher values, moderate tax burden

Mendocino County's $486,000 median home value is higher than most surveyed inland counties but still far below Marin County's $1.39 million and Los Angeles County's $783,300. Its $3,376 median property tax reflects a reasonable balance between property value appreciation and tax burden.

Mendocino County property tax example

A Mendocino County homeowner with a $486,000 home pays approximately $3,376 in annual property taxes at the 0.695% effective rate. Adding mortgage-related assessments raises that to roughly $3,867 per year for financed properties.

Mendocino assessment reviews worth pursuing

Mendocino County homeowners experiencing property value changes or assessment inconsistencies can file appeals to reduce their tax bills at no cost. Given the wine country's volatile real estate market, periodic assessment reviews can uncover significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mendocino County

via CostByCounty

Mendocino renters face above-average burden

Mendocino County's 24.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national average and most states, signaling meaningful housing stress. Despite a median income of $64,688—below the national median—Mendocino's median rent of $1,325 creates affordability pressures that strain local earners.

Mendocino ranks above state average for burden

Mendocino County's 24.6% rent-to-income ratio sits above California's state average of 22.4%, placing it in the state's costlier half despite rural location. The county's coastal position and limited housing supply drive up rents beyond what inland alternatives charge.

Mendocino combines coastal premium with rural income

Mendocino's median rent of $1,325 tops nearby Lake County ($1,292) and rural neighbors, reflecting its Northern California coast appeal. However, its median income of $64,688 lags these same counties, creating an affordability squeeze unique among the region.

Housing consumes nearly one-quarter of income

Mendocino renters pay $1,325 monthly while homeowners invest $1,304, a nearly even split for a $64,688 median household income. The county's median home value of $486,000 reflects coastal demand, yet local wage growth hasn't kept pace, straining long-term residents.

Mendocino rewards remote workers seeking coast

If relocating to California's North Coast, Mendocino offers coastal beauty at lower absolute costs than Bay Area options—yet verify income stability before moving. Remote workers earning outside the local economy will find genuine value here; local job seekers should research carefully given the income-to-cost mismatch.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mendocino County

via IncomeByCounty

Mendocino County underearns compared to national average

Mendocino County's median household income of $64,688 sits 14% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a rural, agriculture-and-tourism-based economy. The county ranks in the lower third nationally for household earnings.

Mendocino lags well behind California's income standard

At $64,688, Mendocino County's median household income is 26% below California's state average of $87,001. The county ranks in the lower quartile among California's 58 counties.

Mendocino earns comparably to other rural California areas

Mendocino County ($64,688) falls in the same income band as Merced ($65,044) and Lassen ($64,395), anchoring California's lower-income rural peer group. The consistency across these counties reflects shared challenges in accessing high-wage employment.

Housing costs strain Mendocino household budgets

At 24.6%, Mendocino County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 25% affordability threshold, and median home values of $486,000 significantly outpace household earnings. The housing-income mismatch suggests limited savings potential for many residents.

Mendocino residents must prioritize income growth strategically

With median income below state averages and housing costs pressing household budgets, Mendocino residents should focus on skill development and remote work opportunities. Starting small with emergency savings and exploring side income streams can build financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mendocino County

via HealthByCounty

Mendocino's health trails national average

Mendocino County residents live 76.8 years on average, about 2.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, reflecting health challenges across the coastal rural county.

Below California's health performance

At 76.8 years, Mendocino County's life expectancy falls 1.7 years short of California's 78.5-year average. The county's 10.3% uninsured rate is the state's highest among these eight counties, indicating coverage access challenges.

Strong provider density despite challenges

Mendocino County offers 78 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—comparable to or exceeding most neighboring rural counties. Mental health resources at 660 per 100,000 rank third among these eight counties, providing meaningful specialist availability.

Highest uninsured rate limits care access

Mendocino County's 10.3% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties, leaving roughly 1 in 10 residents without coverage. Despite having solid primary care infrastructure at 78 providers per 100,000, insurance gaps prevent many from accessing those providers.

Get covered today—one in ten lack coverage

With the state's highest uninsured rate at 10.3%, Mendocino residents face real barriers to accessing the primary care providers available locally. Visit Covered California now to find affordable plans and eliminate cost barriers to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mendocino County

via RiskByCounty

Mendocino's high composite risk

Mendocino County scores 94.3 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively High" rating that exceeds California's state average of 88.7. The North Coast county faces substantial exposure to earthquakes, wildfires, and floods.

Fourth highest risk in California

Mendocino County ranks 4th in composite disaster risk among California's 58 counties, surpassed only by Los Angeles, Madera, and Merced. This placement reflects the county's significant vulnerability across multiple hazard categories.

Higher risk than nearby counties

Mendocino County's 94.3 risk score exceeds neighboring Lake County (93.0) and Marin County (96.4 ties it), positioning the county among the North Coast's highest-risk communities. Its remote geography doesn't reduce natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate

Mendocino County faces extreme wildfire risk (97.8 out of 100) and serious earthquake risk (98.3), making these the county's primary natural hazards. Flood risk (95.1) adds a substantial third vulnerability.

Multi-hazard insurance essential

Mendocino County homeowners should carry dedicated wildfire and earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners policies. Ensure your property meets defensible-space standards and review coverage annually given the county's high composite risk.

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.