countyscore
43.8
County Score
Property Tax 93.7Disaster Risk 88Income & Jobs 70.5

County Report Card

About Moffat County, Colorado

Moffat County below U.S. livability median

Moffat County scores 42.8, placing it in the 38th percentile nationally—below the national median of 50.0. While it has some strengths in taxes and income, significant challenges in safety and schools drag down overall livability.

Colorado's lower-tier livability county

Moffat County ranks in the bottom half of Colorado counties at 42.8, below the state average of 51.2. Among Colorado's 64 counties, it faces steeper livability challenges than most of its peers.

Strong incomes offset low costs

Moffat County boasts an income score of 68.8 with median household income at $70,975, well above state norms. The tax score of 92.0 (0.430% effective rate) and a risk score of 88.0 are also notable strengths.

School quality and safety concerns

The school score of just 9.1 is among Colorado's worst, indicating serious educational challenges. Safety is also problematic at 33.7, and housing affordability ranks low at 21.8 despite median home values of $262,500 and rents at $1,051 monthly.

Best for earners who prioritize work

Moffat County suits workers in energy or natural resources industries with strong incomes who can navigate lower school quality. It appeals to professionals without school-age children seeking a low-tax environment, not to families prioritizing educational excellence.

2040608010093.725.333.747.59.170.58847.733.5Tax93.7Cost25.3Safety33.7Health47.5Schools9.1Income70.5Risk88Water47.7Weather33.543.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Moffat County DNA

Foverall

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

Moffat County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (93.7/100) but notably weak in Schools (9.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
93.7+41.7
Cost
25.3-22.7
Safety
33.7-21.299999999999997
Health
47.5
Schools
9.1-44.9
Income
70.5+19.5
Risk
88+41
Water
47.7-10.299999999999997
Weather
33.5-22.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Moffat County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$289,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,039/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$289,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,849/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Putnam County
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Nearby counties

Rio Blanco County
Colorado
64.6
Garfield County
Colorado
43.7
Daggett County
Utah
70.7
Routt County
Colorado
54.6
Uintah County
Utah
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Sweetwater County
Wyoming
49.8
Carbon County
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64.5
Jackson County
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59.5

Deep Dives

Moffat County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Moffat County

via TaxByCounty

Moffat County taxes run above state average

Moffat County's effective tax rate of 0.430% exceeds Colorado's state average of 0.393% and remains well below the national median tax burden. Property owners pay a median of $1,129 annually—less than half the national median of $2,690.

Upper-middle tier among Colorado counties

At 0.430%, Moffat County ranks in the upper third of Colorado's 64 counties for effective property tax rates, slightly above the state average. The median tax bill of $1,129 falls below the state median of $1,560.

Higher rate than most northwest Colorado peers

Moffat County's 0.430% rate exceeds Montezuma (0.297%) and Ouray (0.277%) but trails Morgan County (0.526%) significantly. Among northwest regional counties, Moffat sits in the middle for tax burden despite lower median home values.

Median home costs about $1,129 annually

A typical Moffat County home valued at $262,500 incurs roughly $1,129 in annual property tax at the current 0.430% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,187, while those without mortgages pay $987.

Appeal if your assessment seems too high

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to fair market value. Moffat County residents can file a formal appeal with the county assessor if they believe their property tax bill doesn't reflect current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Moffat County

via IncomeByCounty

Moffat County Slightly Below National Median

Moffat County's median household income of $70,975 falls just $3,780 short of the national median of $74,755. This positions the county near the national middle class, supported by its energy sector and agricultural base.

Competitive With Colorado's State Average

Moffat County's $70,975 income ranks close to Colorado's state median of $74,792, placing it solidly in the middle of the statewide distribution. The county maintains income parity with more developed areas despite its rural northwestern location.

Energy Sector Supports Above-Average Earnings

Moffat County's $70,975 income outpaces rural neighbors like Montezuma ($63,005) and Montrose ($66,072), reflecting its oil and gas industry presence. However, it trails wealthier mountain counties like Ouray ($84,556) and Park ($95,450).

Housing Costs Well Within Comfort Zone

A rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% means Moffat County residents dedicate less than one-fifth of earnings to housing, well below the 30% benchmark. Median home values of $262,500 remain accessible compared to state trends, supporting homeownership affordability.

Leverage Stable Income for Wealth Building

Moffat County's income stability creates opportunity to invest consistently in long-term wealth vehicles like IRAs and taxable investment accounts. Build on this foundation by automating monthly contributions and reviewing asset allocation annually.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Moffat County

via CrimeByCounty

Moffat County Beats National Safety Averages

Moffat County earns a high safety score of 97.6 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1,541.8 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading the State in Public Safety

The county's total crime rate sits below the Colorado average of 1,834.6 per 100,000 residents. This performance ranks Moffat as a safer-than-average option within the state.

Competitive Safety Scores in the Region

Moffat's safety score of 97.6 beats out neighboring Montezuma County's 96.9 rating. Residents enjoy a lower total crime rate than many of their counterparts across the Western Slope.

Focusing on Property and Violent Crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 219.2 per 100,000, which is lower than the national benchmark of 369.8. Property crime accounts for 1,322.6 incidents per 100,000, making it the primary local concern.

Practical Steps for Local Security

With property crime as the most common issue, home security remains a valuable investment. Installing motion lights or cameras can further deter activity in this already safe county.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Moffat County

via WeatherByCounty

Moffat County slightly cooler than U.S. average

At 45.1°F annually, Moffat County runs 5.4 degrees cooler than the U.S. median of 50.5°F, placing it in a temperate semi-arid climate zone. The county receives 14.0 inches of precipitation annually—notably drier than national median.

Near Colorado average, northwestern location

Moffat County's 45.1°F average runs 0.9 degrees below Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, placing it right at the state norm. Its northwestern Colorado location balances mountain influence with plains exposure.

Moderate climate between extremes

Moffat County averages 45.1°F—warmer than Lake County's 34.9°F and Larimer County's 44.8°F but cooler than Logan County's 50.4°F. It occupies a transition zone between Colorado's high mountains and eastern plains.

Moderate summers, cold winters, 30 heat days

July averages 70.7°F with 30 days reaching 90°F annually, delivering moderate summer heat. January averages 19.6°F, and the county receives 44.2 inches of annual snowfall—a moderate accumulation across the winter season.

Balanced heating and cooling, moderate snow prep

Year-round HVAC maintenance is essential given the 51-degree temperature swing between seasons. Plan for moderate snowfall (44.2 inches annually) and occasional summer cooling needs; residents benefit from balanced seasonal preparation across heating, cooling, and snow management.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Moffat County

via SoilByCounty

Northwest Colorado's Vast Expanse

Moffat County's soil taxonomic identity remains largely unmapped in digital databases, leaving its dominant pH unknown. Given the state average pH of 7.29, these high-desert soils likely trend more alkaline than the 6.5 national median.

A Mosaic of High Desert

Specific sand, silt, and clay ratios are unavailable for this massive territory. Local observers generally find a mix of sagebrush-covered loams and rocky outcrops that define the region's ranching landscape.

Potential in the Sagebrush

The county lacks specific organic matter and water capacity data to compare against the 2.18% state average. Productive pockets exist, but most areas require water management to reach their full agricultural potential.

Dry Land Drainage

While official drainage classes are unlisted, the arid climate and rolling plateaus prioritize water conservation. Understanding local arroyo patterns is essential for any construction or irrigation project in this basin.

Gardening the High Plains

Moffat County sits in Hardiness Zone 6a, allowing for a respectable variety of fruits and hardy vegetables. Start a garden with drought-tolerant species to thrive in this sun-drenched, windy environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Moffat County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating One of Colorado's Toughest Climates

Moffat County is a very difficult place for traditional turf, scoring just 26.8 on the lawn difficulty scale. This score is well below both the national median of 50.0 and the Colorado state average of 37.4.

Intense Heat and Low Rainfall

Lawns must endure 30 days of extreme heat over 90°F with only 14.0 inches of annual rainfall to provide relief. These conditions require a strict irrigation schedule to prevent the grass from entering summer dormancy.

Preparing for Better Drainage

Comprehensive soil data is currently limited for Moffat County, but local desert-fringe conditions often feature high mineral content. Adding compost or topsoil is essential to improve moisture holding capacity in this arid environment.

Severe Drought Challenges

A full 100% of the county is currently under severe drought conditions, following a year with 50 weeks of drought. To maintain a lawn here, you must use water-wise practices like mulching and reducing turf areas.

Timing Your Zone 6a Planting

Buffalo grass and Blue Grama are excellent native choices for this Zone 6a region. Plan your seeding for late spring, aiming for the window after the final frost on May 29 to ensure success.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moffat County's county score?
Moffat County, Colorado has a composite county score of 43.8 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 Moffat County rank among counties in Colorado?
Moffat County ranks #43 among all counties in Colorado 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 Moffat County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Moffat County is $1,146, with an effective tax rate of 0.40%. This earns Moffat County a tax score of 93.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Moffat County?
The median household income in Moffat County, Colorado is $73,849 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Moffat County earns an income score of 70.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Moffat County, Colorado a good place to live?
Moffat County scores 43.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Moffat 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 Moffat 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.