Miami-Dade County

Florida · FL

#67 in Florida
54.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Miami-Dade County, Florida

Miami-Dade exceeds U.S. average significantly

Miami-Dade's composite score of 58.7 substantially outpaces the national median of 50.0, demonstrating its competitive livability on a national scale. The county's 8.7-point advantage reflects its tax efficiency and economic vitality as a major metropolitan hub.

Below Florida's average performance

Miami-Dade's score of 58.7 falls short of Florida's 69.4 state average, making it a lower-ranking county within the state. This gap reflects the housing affordability pressures inherent to a major urban region.

Low taxes in a major metro

Miami-Dade maintains a tax score of 79.0 with an effective rate of 0.827%, offering tax relief typical of Florida. The county's economic scale and diversity create robust income opportunities for professionals.

Housing costs strain affordability

Miami-Dade's cost score of 51.1 is the county's weakest dimension, driven by median home values of $425,400 and rent at $1,731/month. Critical data on schools, health, safety, and climate risks remain unavailable.

For urban professionals balancing tradeoffs

Miami-Dade suits career-focused professionals and diverse families seeking cultural amenities and economic opportunity despite high housing costs. It's not ideal for those prioritizing affordability or rural quiet, but works well for those valuing urban dynamism and job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79Cost51.1SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.2Risk0.4WaterComing Soon
🏛79
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠51.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼28.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
0.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Miami-Dade County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Miami-Dade County

via TaxByCounty

Miami-Dade taxes exceed national benchmark

Miami-Dade County's effective tax rate of 0.827% ranks among the highest in the nation, meaning homeowners here pay more than typical Americans on a percentage basis. The county's median property tax of $3,516 is 31% above the national median of $2,690, reflecting both steep tax rates and elevated home values.

Miami-Dade leads Florida in tax rates

Miami-Dade County's effective rate of 0.827% is the highest among Florida's 67 counties, substantially above the state average of 0.731%. The county's median tax of $3,516 dwarfs the state median of $1,885, putting Miami-Dade in a clear class of its own for property tax burden.

Miami-Dade charges the most in South Florida

Miami-Dade's 0.827% rate exceeds neighboring Martin County (0.807%) and Nassau County (0.729%), establishing it as South Florida's heaviest-taxed county. Combined with the highest median home values in the region at $425,400, Miami-Dade residents face the steepest annual tax bills among their peers.

What Miami-Dade homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Miami-Dade's median home value of $425,400 pays approximately $3,516 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.827% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises to about $3,816 when including escrow and associated costs.

Appeal your Miami-Dade assessment today

In a high-tax county like Miami-Dade, overassessments hit harder than elsewhere, making it crucial to verify your property's appraised value against fair market comparables. The county property appraiser's office offers a free appeal process with no cost to challenge an inflated assessment and potentially reclaim significant annual savings.

Cost of Living in Miami-Dade County

via CostByCounty

Miami-Dade's rent crisis ranks among nation's worst

Miami-Dade County renters spend 30.2% of their income on housing—a level typically flagged by economists as severely unaffordable and nearly double the cost-burden threshold. With a median household income of just $68,694 against a median rent of $1,731, residents fall nearly $6,000 behind the national income median while paying well above typical rent.

Miami-Dade leads Florida in housing stress

Miami-Dade's 30.2% rent-to-income ratio towers above Florida's state average of 22.5%, making it the state's most housing-stressed major county. The gap of 7.7 percentage points means typical Miami-Dade renters spend roughly $600 more annually on rent than state averages would predict.

Least affordable corner of South Florida

Miami-Dade's median rent of $1,731 exceeds Martin County ($1,499) and nearly matches Monroe County ($1,959), but the difference is income: Miami-Dade households earn $14,000 less than Martin's, intensifying affordability pain. Compared to statewide peers like Orange County, Miami-Dade renters face disproportionate burden despite similar housing costs.

Rent consumes nearly a third of Miami-Dade paychecks

The typical Miami-Dade renter earning $68,694 annually pays $1,731 monthly—a crushing 30.2% of gross income. Mortgage holders fare slightly better at 29.2% of income, but with median home values of $425,400, ownership remains out of reach for many families.

Miami-Dade demands serious income to thrive

If you're considering Miami-Dade, honestly assess whether your income exceeds the county's $68,694 median—otherwise you'll face the state's harshest affordability squeeze. Compare this market against Martin, Okaloosa, or Nassau counties, where the same rent dollars go much further.

Income & Jobs in Miami-Dade County

via IncomeByCounty

Miami-Dade slightly below national median

Miami-Dade County's median household income of $68,694 falls $6,061 short of the national median of $74,755. Despite this gap, the county's diverse economy supports millions of residents across the nation's second-largest metropolitan area.

Slightly above Florida's average

At $68,694, Miami-Dade's median household income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by $3,226. The county ranks in the middle tier statewide, reflecting its position as a major economic engine with mixed-income neighborhoods.

Outpaced by Broward, within reach of Palm Beach

Miami-Dade's $68,694 trails neighboring Broward County's higher-income suburbs but surpasses more rural inland counties. As the anchor of South Florida's tri-county region, Miami-Dade encompasses both affluent neighborhoods and working-class communities.

Housing costs strain budgets

Miami-Dade's rent-to-income ratio of 30.2% exceeds the recommended 28% threshold, signaling that housing consumes a large share of household earnings. With a median home value of $425,400, homeownership requires substantial income or savings for down payments.

Navigate high costs strategically

Miami-Dade residents should prioritize budgeting and emergency savings given housing pressures, but the county's strong job market enables wealth-building through side income and investments. Explore employer retirement plans and speak with advisors about affordability-conscious strategies.

Health in Miami-Dade County

via HealthByCounty

Miami-Dade's mixed health picture

Miami-Dade residents live 79.7 years on average—slightly below the U.S. average of 79.3 years—despite the county's significant resources and population. However, 22.4% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among the eight counties studied, indicating substantial chronic disease prevalence.

Large county, health challenges

Miami-Dade's 79.7-year life expectancy sits nearly 4 years above Florida's 75.8-year average, yet its 22.4% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the state norm. This paradox reflects a diverse population with varying access to care and prevention resources.

Trailing wealthier south Florida peers

Miami-Dade's life expectancy lags Martin County by 0.7 years and Monroe County by 1.1 years despite having more providers. The county's primary care density of 83 per 100,000 is strong, but uneven distribution leaves many neighborhoods underserved.

Insurance gaps amid plenty of providers

With 16.1% of residents uninsured—above Florida's 14.4%—millions lack routine access to Miami-Dade's 83 primary care providers and 232 mental health providers per 100,000. Uninsured residents often delay care, leading to higher rates of emergency visits and worse health outcomes.

Get covered in Miami-Dade

More than 1 in 6 Miami-Dade residents currently lacks health insurance. Visit healthcare.gov, call 211, or visit a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to find affordable coverage and access to the county's extensive provider network.

Disaster Risk in Miami-Dade County

via RiskByCounty

Miami-Dade faces the highest national risk

Miami-Dade County scores 99.62 on composite disaster risk—essentially the maximum possible—with a very high rating that vastly exceeds the national average. This score reflects extreme exposure across nearly every hazard category, making the county one of America's most disaster-vulnerable regions. No major U.S. county faces comparable cumulative risk.

Florida's most at-risk county

At 99.62, Miami-Dade's composite risk is the highest in Florida, exceeding the state average of 75.74 by nearly 24 points. The county ranks first statewide across multiple individual hazard categories, including flood (99.71), tornado (98.73), and hurricane (99.96). Miami-Dade faces unparalleled multi-hazard exposure within Florida.

Significantly riskier than all neighbors

Miami-Dade's 99.62 score substantially exceeds nearby Broward (94+) and Monroe (91.60) counties across nearly every metric. The county's concentration at sea level, dense development, and tropical storm exposure create a risk profile unmatched by any neighboring jurisdiction. Miami-Dade stands alone as Florida's extreme-risk outlier.

Hurricanes and flooding dominate

Miami-Dade faces near-maximum hurricane risk at 99.96 and near-maximum flood risk at 99.71, reflecting its position as a low-lying coastal metropolis. Tornado risk of 98.73 is also extreme for an urban area, while wildfire risk of 96.85 presents additional seasonal threats. Combined, these hazards make property damage and displacement routine concerns.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable

With hurricane risk at 99.96 and flood risk at 99.71, Miami-Dade residents must carry both windstorm and flood insurance—no exceptions. Verify that your policy's limits match your home's full replacement value, and review coverage annually as property values shift. Consider additional loss-of-use coverage and maintain detailed home inventories for insurance claims.

ByCounty Network

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