CountyScore

Mono County

California · CA

#12 in California
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Mono County, California

Mono Ranks Above the National Average

Mono County scores 58.5 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This 17% advantage reflects solid tax efficiency and income potential despite housing cost headwinds.

Just Below California's Average

Mono's score of 58.5 sits slightly below California's average of 61.3, ranking it in the middle range of the state's counties. The county offers a balanced profile for those seeking mountain living with moderate economic vitality.

Strong Incomes and Tax Efficiency

Mono boasts a tax score of 80.7 with an effective rate of 0.765%, while an income score of 40.1 reflects median household income of $86,953—solid middle-class earnings. These economic strengths offset some of the county's housing affordability challenges.

Housing Costs Strain the Wallet

The cost score of 46.5 reveals median home values of $514,300 and gross rent at $1,593/month, making Mono considerably less affordable than the state average. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain incomplete.

For Mountain Living on a Mid-Range Budget

Mono suits professionals and families with solid incomes who value outdoor recreation and small-town character over maximum affordability. Those earning $85,000+ will find the mountain lifestyle livable; tighter budgets may struggle with housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost46.5SafetyComing SoonHealth85.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.1Risk53.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.5
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 Mono County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Mono County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mono County

via TaxByCounty

Mono's taxes outpace national average slightly

Mono County's effective tax rate of 0.765% nudges above the national median of 0.85%... actually sits slightly below, but its median tax bill of $3,936 exceeds the national median of $2,690. This reflects Mono's elevated home values: the median property here is worth $514,300, compared to the national median of $281,900.

Mono ranks mid-range among California counties

At 0.765%, Mono's effective rate sits above California's state average of 0.714%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of taxed counties statewide. Mono's median tax of $3,936 closely mirrors the state median of $4,045, making it fairly representative of the typical California property tax burden.

Mono taxes higher than mountain county peers

Mono's 0.765% rate exceeds neighboring Plumas County (0.721%) and Inyo County, reflecting Mono's desirable mountain and lake communities that command premium home prices. At $3,936 in median annual taxes, Mono homeowners pay substantially more than Modoc ($1,445) but less than high-value Sierra Nevada areas.

Median Mono home costs $3,936 yearly in taxes

A median home valued at $514,300 in Mono County generates approximately $3,936 in annual property taxes at the 0.765% effective rate. With mortgage impounds included, annual taxes rise to $4,364; without them, the base tax is $2,409.

Appeal if your assessed value seems too high

Mono's popularity with second-home buyers and vacationers means some properties are assessed above their actual market value, particularly in years following sales spikes. Homeowners should compare their assessor's value to recent comparable sales in their neighborhood—if there's a significant gap, filing an appeal typically costs nothing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mono County

via CostByCounty

Mono's incomes don't match housing costs

Mono County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% approaches the national danger zone, even though the county's median household income of $86,953 is 16% higher than the national average. Renters here spend $1,593 monthly on housing—nearly 22 cents of every earned dollar.

Right at California's affordability waterline

Mono County's 22.0% rent-to-income ratio sits just below California's state average of 22.4%, putting it squarely in the middle of the affordability pack. Despite higher-than-average incomes, the county's steep housing costs keep affordability tight.

Pricey mountain county, premium prices

Mono's median gross rent of $1,593 exceeds neighboring Nevada County ($1,635) by far less than its home values suggest—at $514,300, Mono homes cost less than Nevada's ($602,800). The rental market here reflects Mono's appeal as a mountain destination, pricing out many year-round residents.

Housing claims nearly half of income

Mono renters spend 22% of their $86,953 median income on rent ($1,593/month), while homeowners commit 29.5% to ownership costs ($2,141/month)—a severe burden. For homeowners especially, Mono's housing costs squeeze tight despite the county's relatively strong income levels.

Mono appeals to well-paid mountain lovers

If mountain living and outdoor recreation matter more than maximizing savings, Mono's higher incomes help offset steep housing costs. But renters and especially homebuyers should expect to dedicate a substantial share of earnings to housing here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mono County

via IncomeByCounty

Mono earns above the national median

Mono County's median household income of $86,953 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 16%, reflecting strong tourism and mountain community economies. This positions the county firmly in the upper-income tier nationally.

Nearly matches California's income average

Mono's median household income of $86,953 sits just shy of California's state average of $87,001, placing it right at the state's economic middle. The county's tourism-driven economy supports incomes comparable to much larger urban counties.

Mono competes with mountain peers

Mono's $86,953 median income trails higher-earning Napa ($108,970) and Orange ($113,702) counties but exceeds nearby Nevada County ($84,905) and rural Modoc ($56,648). The county's mountain location supports solid incomes despite its small population.

Housing costs strain Mono households

Mono's 22% rent-to-income ratio signals tight housing affordability, with median home values reaching $514,300—more than double the county median income. Households earning the county median spend a significant share of income on housing compared to national norms.

Plan carefully around housing costs

Despite solid incomes, Mono residents face elevated housing expenses that limit discretionary savings, making financial planning essential. Households should prioritize down-payment strategies and refinancing opportunities to free up cash for wealth-building investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mono County

via HealthByCounty

Mono's health data shows anomaly

Mono County reports a life expectancy of 93.5 years, far exceeding the U.S. average of 78.5 years—a figure that warrants cautious interpretation given Mono's small population. The 16.4% poor/fair health rate suggests self-reported health may not align with the published longevity figure.

Life expectancy claim needs verification

Mono's reported 93.5-year life expectancy significantly outpaces California's 78.5-year average, an unusual gap that likely reflects data collection or population size limitations. The 16.4% poor/fair health rate is more typical of the state, suggesting the longevity figure may not be fully representative.

Mono's numbers stand out

Mono's 93.5-year life expectancy is an outlier compared to neighboring Alpine and Inyo counties, and far exceeds Modoc's 74.6 years. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Mono has moderate provider density but fewer mental health specialists than most peers.

Uninsured rate above state average

At 10.3%, Mono's uninsured rate is notably higher than California's 7.2%, meaning about 1 in 10 residents lack health coverage. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access is moderate, though the mountain geography may create travel barriers for some.

Get insured in Mono County

If you're uninsured, Covered California and Medicaid expansion options are available to help close the coverage gap. Connect with local enrollment assistance to explore plans that fit your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mono County

via RiskByCounty

Mono: Below Average U.S. Risk Profile

Mono County's composite risk score of 46.50 earns a relatively low rating and sits well below the national average. This high-elevation, sparsely populated county experiences fewer disaster impacts than most American regions.

Low Risk Within High-Risk California

Mono's score of 46.50 is substantially lower than California's state average of 88.72, ranking it among the state's safer counties. Its eastern Sierra location puts it outside California's primary earthquake and flood zones.

Safer Than Mountain Region Peers

Mono ranks lower than Plumas County (86.39) and significantly below the coastal and central valley counties surrounding the Sierra. Its remote location and lower population density contribute to reduced overall exposure.

Earthquake Risk Rises With Elevation

Earthquake risk is Mono's highest hazard at 88.99, reflecting its proximity to the Sierra Nevada fault systems and volcanic zones. Wildfire risk also scores high at 91.16, driven by extensive forests and dry conditions.

Earthquake Coverage Is Essential Here

Homeowners in Mono should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 88.99 seismic risk score. Bundle wildfire coverage as well, since high-elevation forests increase exposure to large fires.

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.