CountyScore

Monroe County

New York · NY

#57 in New York
52.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, New York

Monroe County lags national livability bar

Monroe County's composite score of 47.2 falls slightly below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the bottom 40% nationally. This indicates livability challenges relative to most U.S. counties, driven primarily by housing costs.

Below average for New York

Monroe County's score of 47.2 underperforms New York's state average of 54.7 by 7.5 points, ranking it in the lower half of the state's counties. This reflects above-average housing and tax pressures for New York residents.

Highest incomes among these counties

Monroe County's income score of 32.0 reflects a median household income of $74,409—the highest among this group. This Rochester-area county supports higher earning potential than most rural upstate alternatives.

Housing costs and taxes strain affordability

Median gross rent of $1,126 and home values of $197,100 are notably high, yielding a cost score of only 68.5. An effective tax rate of 2.788% (the highest among these counties) and low tax score of 23.9 further constrain household budgets.

For higher earners tolerating urban costs

Monroe County suits professionals and higher-income families who value urban amenities and employment in Rochester over lower living costs. The trade-off: higher pay is needed to manage elevated housing and tax burdens.

Score breakdown

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

Tax23.9Cost68.5SafetyComing SoonHealth82SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk6.2WaterComing Soon
🏛23.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤82
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.2
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

Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
52.4
Median income: $124,553
DeKalb County
Illinois
52.6
Median income: $69,022
DuPage County
Illinois
52.6
Median income: $110,502
Winnebago County
Illinois
52.6
Median income: $64,363
Cameron County
Texas
52.6
Median income: $51,334

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 County taxes well above national norm

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 2.788% outpaces the national median of 2.1% by roughly 690 basis points, placing it in the upper tier of American counties. The typical homeowner here pays $5,495 annually—more than double the national median of $2,690.

High-tax county in New York

At 2.788%, Monroe County's effective rate runs 740 basis points above New York's state average of 2.046%, making it one of the higher-tax counties statewide. The median property tax of $5,495 exceeds the state average of $4,709 by 16%, reflecting both the county's elevated rate and its higher median home value.

Highest taxes in the upstate corridor

Monroe County's 2.788% rate is the highest among nearby counties, exceeding Livingston County (2.466%), Madison County (2.295%), Niagara County (2.284%), and Lewis County (1.698%) by substantial margins. This positions Rochester's home county as the region's most tax-heavy jurisdiction.

What a typical Monroe County home costs to own

On the county's median home value of $197,100, you'll pay approximately $5,495 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate. With mortgage financing, that rises to $5,643; without, it drops to $5,212 for homeowners owning outright.

You may be overassessed—here's what to do

Across New York, many homeowners discover their assessed values exceed fair market value, opening the door to successful tax appeals. If you believe your Monroe County property is overvalued relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, filing a grievance during the assessment review period could provide meaningful relief from your relatively high annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe County's affordability edges above state

At 18.2%, renters' rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds New York's state average of 17.6%, though it remains close to national norms around 18%. Median rent of $1,126 per month mirrors the state average of $1,133, making Monroe a mid-tier option in New York's housing landscape.

Middle ground in New York housing costs

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio sits near the state average, placing it in the moderate tier of New York affordability. At $74,409 median household income, Monroe households earn slightly more than the state median, offsetting modest cost-of-living pressures.

Costlier than nearby rural counties

Monroe's $1,126 rent is measurably higher than Niagara County ($870), Lewis County ($821), and Madison County ($891), reflecting Rochester's larger urban footprint. Similarly, ownership costs of $1,272 and median home values near $197,100 outpace most rural neighbors, though remain well below Long Island and Manhattan.

Housing takes its slice of the budget

Households earn $74,409 annually and dedicate roughly $13,512 to rent (18.2%) and $15,264 to ownership costs if mortgaged. At 18.2%, the rent-to-income ratio edges above the state average, meaning less cushion for savings compared to more affordable upstate markets.

Monroe County: urban amenities at regional prices

Monroe offers Rochester's urban services and job market at costs higher than rural upstate but far below New York City and Long Island—homes average $197,100 with rents near state average. If you value city access over bargain hunting, Monroe's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio may justify the trade-off.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe County nearly matches the nation

Monroe County's median household income of $74,409 falls just $346 short of the national median of $74,755, marking it as a quintessential middle-income American county. Rochester's diversified economy—from tech to healthcare—sustains this stable income level.

Below state average but respectable

At $74,409, Monroe County trails New York's state average of $76,433 by roughly $2,024, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 62 counties. The county's economic diversity helps it outperform most Upstate peers.

Regional income leader

Monroe County's $74,409 exceeds Lewis County ($68,329) by $6,080 and Niagara County ($67,809) by $6,600, making it a clear regional income leader. Rochester's size and job variety create wage advantages for surrounding rural counties.

Housing costs rising but manageable

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains reasonable, though it's the highest among the surveyed counties, reflecting Rochester's growing housing demand. Median home values of $197,100 are achievable for dual-income households earning near the county median.

Rochester-scale economy supports ambition

Monroe County residents benefit from access to major employers, professional networks, and diverse career pathways that support income growth over time. Families should prioritize building emergency reserves given rising housing costs, then leverage Rochester's economic momentum to pursue skill development and higher-wage positions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe County's health advantage grows

Monroe County residents live 78.2 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years, and report the lowest poor/fair health rate (12.0%) among upstate New York counties. This reflects robust healthcare infrastructure and healthy lifestyle adoption.

Healthy living across New York's largest metro

Monroe County's 78.2-year life expectancy matches New York's state average of 77.9 years, while its 12.0% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's best. As the home of Rochester's major health systems, the county punches above its weight in health outcomes.

Rochester region leads on wellness metrics

Monroe County's 12.0% poor/fair health rate is the best in its central New York cluster, significantly below Lewis (15.6%), Livingston (15.3%), and Madison (14.4%). Provider density is exceptional: 107 primary care and 383 mental health providers per 100K far exceed regional averages.

Excellent coverage paired with robust providers

Monroe County combines a 4.2% uninsured rate with 107 primary care providers and 383 mental health providers per 100K—the strongest dual advantage in the region. Residents enjoy both insurance access and a deep bench of healthcare professionals nearby.

Take advantage of Monroe's healthcare strengths

With Rochester's medical institutions and strong provider networks, Monroe County residents should prioritize insurance coverage to maximize these assets. Visit New York State of Health to enroll or verify your plan today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe County faces substantially elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 93.77, Monroe County ranks as Relatively Moderate—well above the U.S. average and among the nation's higher-risk counties. The county's Lake Ontario shoreline and urban density amplify exposure across multiple hazard types.

One of New York's highest-risk counties

Monroe County's 93.77 score places it 24 points above the state average of 69.42, making it among the state's top 10% highest-risk counties. Only a handful of New York counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Far riskier than surrounding rural counties

Monroe County (93.77) dwarfs the risk of neighboring Livingston (56.36), Madison (59.38), and even Montgomery County (65.17). The dramatic difference reflects Rochester's concentrated urban exposure and the amplified effects of Lake Ontario climate patterns.

Flooding and tornadoes pose imminent dangers

Flood risk (96.69) and tornado risk (87.18) tower over other hazards, with earthquakes (84.10) and hurricanes (68.75) adding substantial secondary exposure. These four overlapping threats create a complex disaster landscape that demands layered preparation.

Comprehensive coverage essential for Monroe County

Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and wind/hail endorsements should all be part of your insurance portfolio in Monroe County. Consider an umbrella policy for additional liability protection, and review coverage annually as your home's value and local flood zones change.

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.