countyscore
46.2
County Score
Income & Jobs 88.7Property Tax 80.9Schools 73.7

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Florida

Monroe just matches national livability median

Monroe County's score of 46.2 sits slightly below the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 45th percentile nationally. This borderline positioning masks an unusual profile: world-class education and low taxes balanced against extreme housing scarcity.

Slightly above Florida's state average

Monroe scores 46.2 against Florida's 45.1 average, just barely outperforming the state and ranking in the upper-middle range of Florida's 67 counties. Its unique Keys geography creates both advantages and severe limitations.

Exceptional schools and lowest tax burden

Monroe's school score of 73.7 is among Florida's highest, and its tax score of 81.2 reflects an effective rate of just 0.545%—Florida's lowest. These strengths signal strong educational investment and fiscal prudence.

Housing crisis and limited safety data

Monroe's cost score of 3.9 is one of Florida's worst, with median homes at $723,800 and rents at $1,959/month—pricing in a scarcity premium unique to the Keys. Water quality data remains unavailable, and safety score of 31.5 suggests regional vulnerabilities.

Exceptional for high-earners seeking top schools

Monroe County suits wealthy families ($82k+ income) prioritizing elite education and island lifestyle over housing affordability. This exclusive county is built for financial security; modest means won't sustain Keys living costs.

2040608010080.93.731.562.673.788.78.414.5Tax80.9Cost3.7Safety31.5Health62.6Schools73.7Income88.7Risk8.4Water—Weather14.546.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Monroe County DNA

Foverall

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

Monroe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (88.7/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (3.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80.9+28.900000000000006
Cost
3.7-44.3
Safety
31.5-23.5
Health
62.6+12.600000000000001
Schools
73.7+19.700000000000003
Income
88.7+37.7
Risk
8.4-38.6
Weather
14.5-41.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$780,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,999/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$780,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$79,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum8.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $87,738/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.6

per 100K

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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Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
Median income: $65,603
46.2
Placer County
California
Median income: $115,998
46.2
Upson County
Georgia
Median income: $55,429
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White County
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Median income: $70,666
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Marion County
Illinois
Median income: $61,240
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Buena Vista County
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Median income: $71,719
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McDonald County
Missouri
Median income: $52,375
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Monmouth County
New Jersey
Median income: $124,845
46.2

Nearby counties

Miami-Dade County
Florida
30.3
Collier County
Florida
45.9
Broward County
Florida
41.6
Hendry County
Florida
33.7
Lee County
Florida
36.3
Palm Beach County
Florida
37.3
Glades County
Florida
57
Charlotte County
Florida
44.2

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety in the Florida Keys

Monroe County earns a safety score of 97.4, reflecting a secure environment for residents and tourists alike. Its total crime rate of 1615.0 per 100K is significantly better than the national average of 2,385.5. The county manages safety well despite its unique geography.

Monroe's Safety Standing Within Florida

The county's crime rate of 1615.0 is higher than the Florida state average of 1027.9. Nine reporting agencies work across the islands to maintain a safety score of 97.4, which is just under the state average of 98.4. Tourism flux often influences these local figures.

Comparing the Keys to the Mainland

Monroe (1615.0) is much safer than neighboring Miami-Dade (2457.1), though it reports more crime than Martin County (1207.0). The remote nature of the Keys creates a different safety dynamic compared to the mainland. Law enforcement efforts are tailored to the county's linear coastal layout.

Property vs Violent Crime in Monroe

The property crime rate of 1253.0 is much lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 362.0 per 100K, which is also slightly below the national average of 369.8. These statistics suggest that the county is largely successful in preventing serious crimes.

Securing Your Island Property

Because property crime is more common than violent crime, residents should focus on securing outdoor equipment and vehicles. Motion-activated lighting and monitored alarm systems are excellent investments for island homes. Staying aware of your surroundings helps keep Monroe County safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Monroe County

via WeatherByCounty

Monroe County leads the nation in warmth

Monroe's 77.9°F average annual temperature is significantly higher than the national median, reflecting its tropical climate. It is one of the few places in the United States that maintains such high temperatures throughout the year.

The warmest spot in the Sunshine State

Averaging 77.9°F, Monroe is the warmest county in Florida and sits far above the state average of 71.1°F. While much of the state experiences heavy rain, Monroe's 43.8 inches of annual precipitation is surprisingly below the state average.

Warmer and drier than mainland neighbors

Compared to nearby Palm Beach at 75.1°F, Monroe stays consistently warmer due to its island geography. It also receives nearly 18 inches less annual rainfall than its wetter coastal neighbors.

Endless summer with zero snow

Winters are the warmest in Florida, averaging 70.8°F from December through February. Residents experience 67 days of extreme heat above 90°F, and snowfall is non-existent.

Prepare for tropical heat and dry spells

High-efficiency cooling is a necessity for the 67 annual days of extreme heat. Residents should also plan for a drier environment than the Florida norm, as rainfall is 11 inches lower than the state average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

Island Rocks and Coral

Precise pH and taxonomic data are unavailable for the rocky soils of the Florida Keys. The local environment is largely coral-based, which typically differs significantly from the national median pH of 6.5.

Thin Soil Over Stone

There are no recorded percentages for sand, silt, or clay in this county. In the Keys, the ground is often a thin layer of organic debris resting directly over solid oolitic limestone.

High Heat, Low Depth

Data for organic matter and water capacity are not present for this region. These figures are usually quite low in Monroe, as the rocky terrain has very little depth for nutrient or water storage.

Reef-Side Hydrology

The drainage class and hydrologic group for this county are not currently cataloged. Understanding how water moves through this landscape is vital for protecting the delicate coral reef systems just offshore.

Warmest Climate in Florida

Hardiness zone 11b represents the warmest climate in Florida, perfect for extreme heat-tolerant species. Gardeners often use raised beds or containers to bypass the lack of deep, natural soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

The Island Difficulty of Monroe Lawns

Monroe County is relatively easier than its neighbors with a difficulty score of 30.7, though it remains tougher than the national average. This Zone 11b environment presents a unique island climate where temperature extremes are actually lower than the mainland.

Lower Heat Peaks, High Growing Energy

With only 67 days above 90°F, Monroe is cooler than the state average of 92 days. However, the record-breaking 10,191 growing degree days ensure that tropical grasses grow with incredible speed and vigor.

Navigating Rocky Coral Soil Foundations

Specific soil data is limited for the Keys, but the terrain is notoriously rocky and porous. Successful lawns here usually require imported topsoil or frequent light fertilization to keep nutrients from washing through the coral rock.

Managing Limited Freshwater Resources

Over 84% of the county is currently in severe drought, following 43 weeks of dry conditions over the last year. Water conservation is critical here; consider salt-tolerant grass species that can handle the coastal spray and dry spells.

Lush Growth in the Tropics

Bermuda grass and salt-tolerant Paspalum thrive in this frost-free Zone 11b environment. You can plant year-round, but starting just before the peak summer rains will help your new lawn establish without excessive manual watering.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, Florida has a composite county score of 46.2 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 Monroe County rank among counties in Florida?
Monroe County ranks #29 among all counties in Florida 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 Monroe County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $4,129, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 80.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, Florida is $87,738 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 88.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, Florida a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 46.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Monroe 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 Monroe 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.