CountyScore

Monroe County

Florida · FL

#62 in Florida
58.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Florida

Monroe outperforms U.S. median by 22%

Monroe County's composite score of 60.8 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, establishing it as a livable U.S. county despite geographic constraints. This advantage stems primarily from exceptional tax efficiency and strong income levels.

Below average for Florida counties

Monroe's score of 60.8 trails Florida's 69.4 state average, ranking it in Florida's lower-middle tier. The island county's unique geographic and economic characteristics shape its livability profile distinctly from mainland Florida.

Lowest taxes and solid incomes

Monroe County leads Florida with a tax score of 86.9 and the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.545%, a significant advantage. Median household income of $82,430 and an income score of 37.2 reflect economic resilience in the Keys.

Housing prices among highest in state

Monroe's cost score of 47.1 reflects the Keys' extreme housing scarcity, with median home values at $723,800 and rent at $1,959/month—Florida's highest. Data on schools, health, safety, and climate resilience are currently unavailable.

For wealthy islanders seeking paradise

Monroe County suits affluent professionals and retirees who can afford luxury island living and prioritize scenic beauty and tax benefits over affordability. It's not practical for average-income families but ideal for those seeking an exclusive, no-state-income-tax lifestyle in America's southernmost paradise.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.9Cost47.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.2Risk8.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠47.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hillsborough County
Florida
58.8
Median income: $75,011
Jackson County
Illinois
58.8
Median income: $45,572
Madison County
Illinois
58.8
Median income: $74,800
Sangamon County
Illinois
58.8
Median income: $74,114
Genesee County
New York
58.8
Median income: $72,055

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe's rate is unusually low for its wealth

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 0.545% ranks among the lowest in the nation, despite having the highest median home values of any county in Florida at $723,800. This rare combination means Monroe residents enjoy substantial tax relief relative to home values compared to most American homeowners.

Monroe has Florida's lowest effective rate

Monroe County's 0.545% effective rate is the lowest among Florida's 67 counties and well below the state average of 0.731%. Despite median home values nearly 2.6 times the state average, Monroe's median property tax of $3,943 remains manageable due to this exceptionally low rate.

Monroe offers steepest tax break in the region

Monroe County's 0.545% rate significantly undercuts Miami-Dade (0.827%), Martin County (0.807%), and all other nearby counties, reflecting unique state policy considerations. While Monroe residents pay higher absolute dollars due to luxury property values, their effective rate burden is the most favorable in South Florida.

What Monroe homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with Monroe's median home value of $723,800 pays approximately $3,943 in annual property taxes at the county's exceptionally low 0.545% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill climbs to about $4,291 when factoring in escrow and related charges.

Even low-tax Monroe has assessment opportunities

Even with Florida's most favorable tax rate, Monroe residents should verify their property assessments against comparable sales in the luxury market. A successful appeal could provide additional savings on an already modest tax obligation relative to home value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe County commands Florida's highest rents

Monroe County renters pay a median of $1,959 monthly—the highest in the state—consuming 28.5% of a median household income of $82,430. While the 28.5% ratio approaches the national affordability threshold, the absolute dollar cost and $723,800 median home value position Monroe as a luxury market where housing dominates budgets.

Monroe's rent premium reflects Keys exclusivity

At 28.5% of income spent on rent, Monroe County ranks among Florida's least affordable counties, sitting 6 percentage points above the state average of 22.5%. The county's median rent of $1,959 is the state's highest, reflecting geographic isolation and limited housing supply in the Florida Keys.

Monroe dwarfs all South Florida rent comparisons

Monroe's median rent of $1,959 exceeds Miami-Dade ($1,731), Martin ($1,499), and Orange ($1,675) counties by substantial margins, driven by island geography and tourism demand. Even with above-average household income of $82,430, Monroe residents face the harshest rent-to-income squeeze in the region.

Keys housing eats deep into Monroe incomes

A typical Monroe County renter earning $82,430 annually pays $1,959 monthly—28.5% of gross income, among the state's highest burdens. Homeowners face even sharper pressure: at $1,645 monthly, owner costs consume 23.9% of income, yet median home values of $723,800 put purchase ownership far out of reach.

Monroe demands substantial income and flexibility

Monroe County's unmatched rents and home values suit only high-earning relocators or those with flexible remote work arrangements. Before committing to island living, compare your after-rent budget to more affordable nearby markets—the Keys' 28.5% rent burden leaves little room for other life expenses.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe residents earn above national average

Monroe County's median household income of $82,430 tops the national median of $74,755 by $7,675, placing the county well above the typical American household. This reflects the Keys' unique economy driven by tourism, marine commerce, and affluent retirees.

Among Florida's highest earners

Monroe's median household income of $82,430 ranks in Florida's top tier, exceeding the state average of $65,468 by $16,962. The county's per capita income of $57,683 is the highest among the eight counties analyzed.

Highest income, highest cost

Monroe County leads the region with $82,430 in median household income, surpassing Martin County ($80,701) and Nassau County ($88,900 when accounting for cost of living). However, the Keys' median home value of $723,800 is nearly double that of any neighboring county.

High income offset by steep housing costs

Monroe's rent-to-income ratio of 28.5% approaches the stress threshold despite strong household earnings, reflecting the extraordinary cost of living in the Florida Keys. Residents with median incomes struggle more than those in lower-cost regions, even with higher absolute earnings.

Wealth-building in a premium market

Monroe County's high incomes support aggressive savings and investment, but housing costs require disciplined financial planning to build equity. Consider long-term wealth strategies that account for the Keys' unique market dynamics and seasonal income fluctuations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe County's exceptional longevity

Monroe County residents live 80.8 years on average—1.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Only 15.7% report poor or fair health, below the national 18%, suggesting strong health maintenance practices despite the county's remote island geography.

Florida's longest-living residents

Monroe County ranks among Florida's top three counties for life expectancy at 80.8 years, nearly 5 years above the state average of 75.8 years. The county's 15.7% poor/fair health rate also exceeds state averages, reflecting excellent preventive health outcomes.

Island community outperforms peers

Monroe County's 80.8-year life expectancy tops all comparison counties and significantly outpaces inland peers. With 259 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in this group—and 66 primary care providers, the Keys maintain exceptional healthcare infrastructure relative to population size.

Strong coverage with unique challenges

Monroe's 15.2% uninsured rate is close to Florida's average, providing fairly good baseline coverage for preventive care. However, remote island geography means residents often travel to mainland providers for specialized care, relying heavily on telehealth and ferry access.

Insure your island health

Monroe County's strong health outcomes depend on maintaining coverage for preventive care and specialist access. Review your insurance plan at healthcare.gov to ensure coverage includes travel reimbursement and telehealth options for mainland specialist care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe's risk remains well above average

Monroe County scores 91.60 on composite disaster risk with a relatively moderate rating, placing it well above the national average despite its smaller size. The score reflects extreme exposure to water-based hazards concentrated in its island geography. While rating as moderate statewide, Monroe's actual vulnerability is significantly higher than most U.S. counties.

Moderate ranking masks extreme exposure

Monroe's 91.60 score exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74 by over 15 points, earning a mid-to-upper ranking statewide. The county's risk profile is narrowly focused on water hazards rather than broadly distributed across multiple threats, which explains its moderate rather than high rating. In flood and hurricane risk specifically, Monroe ranks among Florida's most vulnerable.

Island county faces unique water risks

Monroe County's 91.60 score is comparable to nearby coastal counties but with a distinctly different hazard profile—it has extreme flood risk (98.80) yet minimal tornado risk (25.64) due to its Keys geography. While Miami-Dade and Martin counties share similar hurricane exposure, Monroe's island position creates singular vulnerability to storm surge and sea-level rise. The Keys face hazards others don't.

Flooding and hurricanes are existential

Monroe County faces the state's most extreme flood risk at 98.80 and near-maximum hurricane risk at 98.00, reflecting its low-lying island chain position. Unlike most Florida counties, tornado risk is minimal at 25.64 due to the Keys' maritime climate. For Monroe residents, water represents virtually all disaster risk; wind and storm surge shape the county's hazard landscape.

Flood insurance is absolutely essential

With flood risk at 98.80—the highest in Florida—Monroe County residents must carry flood insurance regardless of flood zone designation; it's simply non-negotiable. Hurricane insurance with surge protection is equally critical given 98.00 risk. Invest in elevation, waterproofing, and backup power systems, as infrastructure disruption following storms is routine.

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.