countyscore
37.5
County Score
Health 92.4Income & Jobs 76Water Quality 68.6

County Report Card

About Monroe County, New York

Facing National Livability Headwinds

Monroe County scores 37.4, placing it significantly below the national median of 50.0. These figures suggest challenges in matching the amenities and affordability of other U.S. metro areas.

Trailing New York Averages

The county's composite score of 37.4 falls nearly 10 points behind the New York state average of 47.0. High costs and systemic risks weigh down its state ranking compared to rural neighbors.

Superior Health Care and Water Quality

Monroe County boasts a stellar Health Score of 92.4 and a robust Water Score of 68.6. It also maintains high earnings potential with a median household income of $74,409.

Struggles with Taxes and Safety

The county faces a very low Tax Score of 0.2 due to a 2.788% effective tax rate. Safety and environmental risk scores are also low, at 16.4 and 6.2 respectively.

A Hub for Health Professionals

This county best serves those in medical or tech fields who can leverage high local incomes to offset heavy tax burdens. Residents here exchange lower safety and risk scores for elite healthcare access.

204060801000.217.416.492.460.1766.268.658.3Tax0.2Cost17.4Safety16.4Health92.4Schools60.1Income76Risk6.2Water68.6Weather58.337.5/100
This county
National avg
3 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 Health (92.4/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (0.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
0.2-51.8
Cost
17.4-30.6
Safety
16.4-38.6
Health
92.4+42.400000000000006
Schools
60.1
Income
76+25
Risk
6.2-40.8
Water
68.6+10.599999999999994
Weather
58.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Monroe County?

Many homeowners in Monroe County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$213,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,173/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$213,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$46,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,382/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

25.3

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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Lynn County
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Skagit County
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Yolo County
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Nearby counties

Genesee County
New York
46.6
Orleans County
New York
52.5
Ontario County
New York
47.7
Livingston County
New York
51.6
Wayne County
New York
49.8
Wyoming County
New York
58.4
Yates County
New York
51.6
Niagara County
New York
42.7

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 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

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

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Monroe County Nears National Averages

Monroe County sees a total crime rate of 2,295.0 per 100K, which is very close to the national average of 2,385.5. It holds a safety score of 96.4, reflecting more urban activity than its neighbors.

Higher Activity than State Norms

With a crime rate of 2,295.0, Monroe County more than doubles the New York state average of 1,074.4. Its safety score of 96.4 sits below the state average of 98.3, indicating a higher need for security awareness.

Highest Crime Rate Among Neighbors

Monroe County’s rate of 2,295.0 is significantly higher than neighboring Livingston (877.7) and Niagara (1,502.2). This makes it the highest-activity hub for crime reporting in the immediate region.

Property Crime Drives Local Numbers

Property crime is the main concern, sitting at 2,012.7 per 100K, which nearly matches the national average. Violent crime stands at 282.3 per 100K, well below the national average of 369.8 but higher than the state average.

Invest in Smart Security Systems

Given the higher property crime rates, home security systems and cameras are highly recommended. These tools help protect your assets and support local law enforcement in this active urban-suburban mix.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Monroe County

via WeatherByCounty

A Typical Northern Lake-Effect Climate

Monroe County averages 49.5°F annually, which is just below the national median. Its proximity to Lake Ontario heavily influences its seasonal weather patterns and precipitation levels.

Above the New York Average

At 49.5°F, Monroe County is about two degrees warmer than the New York state average of 47.4°F. However, its snowfall of 102 inches is significantly higher than many other parts of the state.

Snowier Than Its Southern Neighbors

Monroe's 102 inches of snow dwarfs Livingston County's 43.7 inches. Despite the heavy snow, its July average of 72.3°F makes it one of the warmer spots in the Finger Lakes region.

Big Snow and Humid Summers

The county balances 102 inches of snow with eight days of 90°F heat per year. Winter averages 28.5°F, while summer averages a warm 70.2°F.

Winterize for the Long Haul

A high-capacity snowblower is a mandatory investment for the 102-inch winters. Moderate air conditioning is recommended for the eight annual days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

Versatile Soils Near Lake Ontario

Monroe County soil features an average pH of 6.06, providing a less acidic environment than the 5.11 state average. This measurement sits just below the 6.5 national median, offering a versatile base for many plants.

Balanced Sand and Silt Mix

The soil contains 43.1% sand and 40.3% silt, creating a texture that balances drainage with water retention. With 16.6% clay, the soil maintains decent structural integrity and nutrient-holding capacity.

Reliable Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter is recorded at 6.31%, which beats the national average but falls short of the 17.01% state average. The available water capacity of 0.162 in/in is slightly lower than the state norm, suggesting a need for consistent watering.

Efficient Water Percolation

Specific data for drainage classes and hydrologic groups is not currently available for Monroe. The high sand and silt percentages suggest that water moves through the profile relatively efficiently compared to clay-heavy areas.

Lush Growth in Zone 6b

Zone 6b provides a moderate climate perfect for growing everything from berries to leafy greens. Get started today to make the most of this reliable soil and favorable growing zone.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

Strong Growing Conditions in Monroe

Monroe County earns a 65.0 difficulty score, placing it comfortably above the state and national averages for ease of maintenance. The USDA Hardiness Zone 6b designation allows for a diverse selection of turfgrasses that can withstand moderate winters.

Warm Summers and Moderate Precip

The region receives 35.1 inches of rain annually and experiences 8 days above 90 degrees, slightly exceeding the state heat average. With 2,835 growing degree days, expect rapid growth during the peak of the season that requires diligent mowing.

Stable Soil Chemistry

The local soil pH of 6.06 is nearly perfect for lawn health, ensuring that fertilizers work efficiently. The soil is quite sandy at 43.1%, meaning your lawn likely drains well but may require more frequent watering during dry spells.

Extended Dry Periods

Monroe County has faced 31 weeks of drought in the past year, and the entire county is currently abnormally dry. To protect your lawn, use mulch-mowing techniques to return moisture and nitrogen back into the soil during these dry stretches.

Optimal Planting Windows

Tall Fescue is a great choice for Monroe's sandy soils and warm summer days. Plan to seed after April 24, as the long growing season extending to October 25 provides ample time for new grass to take root.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, New York has a composite county score of 37.5 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 New York?
Monroe County ranks #57 among all counties in New York 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, New York?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $5,616, with an effective tax rate of 2.63%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 0.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, New York is $76,382 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 76/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, New York a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 37.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #57 in New York. 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.