CountyScore

Modoc County

California · CA

#2 in California
72.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Modoc County, California

Modoc Outperforms the Nation

Modoc County scores 75.6 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 51% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in tax burden and housing affordability.

Among California's Best

At 75.6, Modoc ranks well above California's average composite score of 61.3, putting it in the upper echelon of the state's 58 counties. The county's livability profile stands out as one of California's most balanced.

Tax and Housing Affordability Lead

Modoc shines with an 83.7 cost score—meaning median home values of $212,000 and gross rent at just $818/month, among the state's most accessible. The tax score of 83.1 reflects an effective tax rate of only 0.682%, providing residents with substantial financial breathing room.

Income Levels Present Limits

The income score of 20.4 indicates median household income of $56,648, below both state and national norms, which may constrain household purchasing power and wealth accumulation. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting a full livability picture.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Families

Modoc is best suited for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes and urban amenities. Those seeking a low-cost-of-living haven in California will find strong value here, though local economic opportunities remain modest.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk60.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.3
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 Modoc County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Leslie County
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Median income: $40,176
Benzie County
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Cherry County
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Median income: $63,750

Deep Dives

Modoc County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Modoc County

via TaxByCounty

Modoc's tax rate lags national average

At 0.682%, Modoc County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.85%, making it one of the more affordable counties for homeowners nationally. Modoc homeowners pay a median of $1,445 annually—roughly half the national median of $2,690—despite the national median home being valued 33% higher.

Among California's lowest property tax rates

Modoc ranks among the lowest taxed counties in California, where the state average effective rate is 0.714% and median tax bill is $4,045. At 0.682%, Modoc undercuts the state average and is one of just a handful of counties below 0.70%.

Modoc taxes lowest in rural northeast region

Compared to neighboring mountain counties like Plumas (0.721%) and Nevada County (0.741%), Modoc offers the most favorable tax rate in the region. Modoc's median property tax of $1,445 is also the lowest among its peers, reflecting both lower home values and lower effective rates.

Median home here costs $1,445 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $212,000 and an effective tax rate of 0.682%, Modoc homeowners pay approximately $1,445 in annual property taxes. Without mortgage impounds, taxes run $1,222; with them factored in, the total rises to $1,976 annually.

Don't assume your assessment is correct

Even in lower-taxed counties like Modoc, some homeowners discover their properties are overassessed relative to recent comparable sales. Filing a property tax appeal—typically every 3-4 years—takes little time and can reduce your annual bill if your home's assessed value doesn't match market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Modoc County

via CostByCounty

Modoc beats the national affordability test

Modoc County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% sits well below the national sweet spot of 28-30%, making it genuinely affordable for renters. With a median household income of $56,648, residents spend far less on housing than the typical American household relative to what they earn.

Most affordable rent in California

Modoc County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among California's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 22.4% by a substantial margin. Its median gross rent of $818 per month is roughly half the state's median of $1,618, offering rare relief in an expensive state.

A pocket of affordability in the north

Modoc's rents are roughly half those of neighboring Plumas County ($1,034/month) and a third of Nevada County's ($1,635/month). Among the eight-county comparison set, Modoc stands alone as the most affordable place to rent, making it an outlier in California's housing market.

Housing takes a modest bite here

Renters dedicate 17.3% of their $56,648 median income to rent ($818/month), while homeowners commit 14% to ownership costs ($659/month). This leaves most Modoc households substantial room in their budgets—a luxury increasingly rare across California.

Consider Modoc for true affordability

If housing costs are eating your paycheck, Modoc County offers one of California's last genuinely affordable housing markets. The trade-off is location and amenities, but your $56,648 median income stretches dramatically further here than anywhere else in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Modoc County

via IncomeByCounty

Modoc lags behind national income

Modoc County's median household income of $56,648 sits 24% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationally. This gap reflects the rural character of the region and limited job diversity compared to major metropolitan areas.

Below California's income average

At $56,648, Modoc's median household income ranks well below California's state average of $87,001—a difference of $30,353 per household. The county faces income challenges typical of rural, agricultural communities in the state.

Modoc's income faces rural reality

Modoc's median income of $56,648 trails nearby Plumas County ($64,946) and Nevada County ($84,905), underscoring its position as one of the region's lower-income areas. The gap widens significantly when compared to Sierra Nevada communities that attract tourism and remote workers.

Housing remains affordable here

Modoc's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties, meaning housing costs consume less of household earnings than elsewhere in the region. With a median home value of $212,000, homeownership remains within reach for many families earning the county median.

Build wealth despite modest income

Modoc's affordability advantage—lower housing costs than state averages—creates an opportunity for households to save and invest beyond basic living expenses. Even with a median income below state levels, residents can build emergency funds and retirement savings through disciplined budgeting.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Modoc County

via HealthByCounty

Modoc life expectancy lags nation

Modoc residents live to an average of 74.6 years, nearly 4 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.5 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, suggesting chronic conditions are prevalent in the county.

Among California's shortest lifespans

At 74.6 years, Modoc's life expectancy ranks well below California's state average of 78.5 years, a gap of 3.9 years that reflects significant health challenges. The 18.4% poor/fair health rate underscores persistent wellness barriers across the county.

Modoc faces steeper health challenges

Modoc's 74.6-year life expectancy trails neighboring Nevada County (80.0) and Plumas County (78.2) by meaningful margins. With only 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents compared to Nevada's 73, Modoc faces both health outcome and access disadvantages.

Healthcare access remains tight

An 8.0% uninsured rate, slightly above California's 7.2% average, means roughly 1 in 12 Modoc residents lack health coverage. With just 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, appointment availability is stretched thin across the county.

Finding coverage in Modoc

If you're among Modoc's uninsured, the Covered California marketplace and Medicaid expansion have created new pathways to affordable coverage. Even a brief online search can connect you to enrollment assistance in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Modoc County

via RiskByCounty

Modoc: Well Below National Risk Average

Modoc County's composite risk score of 39.69 places it in the very low category—far safer than the typical American county. This score reflects a region where natural disaster hazards are substantially less pronounced than what most U.S. communities face.

Among California's Safest Counties

Modoc ranks among the lowest-risk counties in California, with a score well below the state average of 88.72. In a state known for seismic and wildfire hazards, Modoc stands out as a relative haven.

Safer Than the Sierra Nevada Region

Modoc's risk profile is notably lower than neighboring Mono County (46.50) and the higher-risk counties to the west and south. Its isolation in northeastern California keeps it away from the state's major seismic zones and populated fire corridors.

Wildfire and Earthquake Remain Top Concerns

Wildfire risk scores highest at 92.94, reflecting the county's forested terrain and dry climate, while earthquake risk sits at 68.77. Tornado and flood risks are minimal, with scores below 45.

Focus on Fire and Seismic Coverage

Even in low-risk Modoc, wildfire insurance and earthquake coverage are worth evaluating, especially for properties in forested areas. Standard homeowners policies may exclude earthquake damage, so check your policy for both fire and seismic protection.

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.