CountyScore

Monroe County

Pennsylvania · PA

#66 in Pennsylvania
56.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Monroe Slightly Above National Median

Monroe County scores 55.0, topping the national median of 50.0 by 5 points. The county ranks at the 53rd percentile nationally, placing it just barely in the upper half of U.S. counties.

Below State Average, Mid-Range

Monroe's 55.0 score falls 11 points below Pennsylvania's statewide average of 66.0, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The gap suggests livability challenges relative to most Pennsylvania communities.

Highest Incomes in This Group

Monroe stands out with an income score of 37.2 and median household income of $82,374—substantially higher than peer counties. This income advantage reflects the county's appeal to professionals and well-compensated workers.

Housing Costs and Tax Burden

Housing affordability suffers significantly, with a cost score of just 62.7 and median home values of $241,200 pushing homeownership beyond reach for many. The effective tax rate of 1.839% ranks highest in this group, straining household budgets further.

For Higher-Earning Families

Monroe suits higher-income households willing to pay premium prices for housing and taxes in exchange for better earning prospects. It appeals to professionals and families with six-figure incomes seeking suburban growth communities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax50.6Cost62.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.2Risk14.9WaterComing Soon
🏛50.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.7
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
❤73
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.9
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

Santa Cruz County
California
56.1
Median income: $109,266
Middlesex County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,779
Norfolk County
Massachusetts
56.1
Median income: $126,497
Merrimack County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $93,944
Strafford County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $86,564

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 tax rate ranks among nation's highest

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 1.839% far exceeds the national median of 1.2%, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $4,435 nearly doubles the national median of $2,690, reflecting both high home values and an aggressive tax rate. Monroe imposes one of the nation's steepest property tax burdens.

Highest-tax county in Pennsylvania

At 1.839%, Monroe's effective rate far exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%, making it the most heavily taxed county in the entire state. This rank reflects Monroe's unique position as a high-value, high-tax jurisdiction within Pennsylvania.

Dramatically outpaces all regional peers

Monroe's 1.839% rate towers over neighbors Lycoming (1.353%), Mercer (1.265%), Montour (1.030%), McKean (1.636%), and Mifflin (1.558%). The county stands apart as the tax-heaviest jurisdiction in its region, making it substantially more expensive than surrounding counties.

Homeowners pay $4,435 median annual tax

With the county median home value of $241,200, residents pay approximately $4,435 in annual property taxes—the highest median tax bill among these eight counties. Adding mortgage-related assessment bumps the bill to $4,649; subtracting it yields $4,004, reflecting the substantial tax burden Monroe homeowners shoulder.

Appeals are critical in high-tax counties

Given Monroe's exceptionally high tax rate, even a modest overassessment error can cost homeowners hundreds yearly. If you believe your property is valued above comparable sales in your area, filing a tax appeal with the county assessor is worthwhile—many Monroe homeowners successfully reduce inflated assessments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe stretches affordability despite higher income

Monroe County's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national comfort zone, even though the county boasts the second-highest median income ($82,374) in our dataset. At $1,347 monthly, rent consumes substantially more income here than in lower-cost regions.

Pennsylvania's most expensive county

Monroe ranks as the state's priciest housing market with a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio, well above Pennsylvania's 16.5% average and the highest in our group. This reflects the Poconos' status as a regional destination driving home values to $241,200.

Significantly pricier than all peers

Monroe's $1,347 rent towers over Northampton's $1,335 and all central Pennsylvania counties, while its $241,200 median home value matches Montour but comes with higher income pressure. Buyers and renters pay premium prices here despite elevated incomes.

Premium housing takes a bigger bite

On an $82,374 income, renters pay $1,347 monthly (19.6%) while homeowners pay $1,384 monthly (20.1%)—the highest burden ratios in our dataset. Both groups sacrifice substantially more for housing than counterparts in adjacent counties.

Monroe premium comes with location

Monroe's higher income supports but doesn't fully offset its housing costs—evaluate whether the Pocono region's amenities justify the 19.6% rent burden before relocating. Compare against nearby Northampton (18.5%) for similar access with lower costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe exceeds national income median

Monroe County's median household income of $82,374 runs about $7,600 ahead of the national median of $74,755. This 10% premium reflects Monroe's proximity to New York City, attracting commuters and remote workers earning above-average wages.

Well above Pennsylvania's average

At $82,374, Monroe's median household income exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by roughly $12,700 per household. The per capita income of $37,512 matches the state average, indicating fairly distributed earnings across the population.

Outearning most regional peers

Monroe's $82,374 significantly outpaces western Pennsylvania counties like Lycoming ($64,412) and McKean ($61,705). Only Northampton County ($86,687) and Montgomery County ($111,521) exceed Monroe's earnings in this cohort, both benefiting from proximity to Philadelphia.

Higher income meets higher housing costs

Monroe's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% is elevated compared to peer counties, reflecting the region's desirable status. The median home value of $241,200 exceeds state averages, requiring higher-earning households to manage substantial housing expenses.

Capitalize on above-average earnings

With median household income at $82,374, Monroe residents earn well above national norms and can prioritize wealth building. Balancing higher housing costs with strategic investment in retirement accounts and diversified portfolios positions households for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe exceeds national life expectancy average

Monroe County residents live to 76.8 years on average—slightly below the U.S. average of 79 years but better than most peers in this Pennsylvania cohort. The 18.1% poor or fair health rate exceeds national norms, indicating chronic disease challenges despite decent longevity. Uninsured rate of 6.8% is close to national averages, suggesting reasonable coverage access for basic healthcare needs.

Above-average lifespan, below-average provider access

Monroe's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks above Pennsylvania's state average of 76.4 years, placing it in the upper-middle tier for longevity among 67 counties. The uninsured rate of 6.8% matches state norms, yet primary care provider availability at just 40 per 100K is critically low—among the worst in the state. Mental health providers at 167 per 100K also fall short, limiting behavioral health access despite decent longevity.

Decent longevity undercut by acute provider shortage

Monroe's 76.8-year life expectancy rivals Northampton (78.9) and exceeds Lycoming (76.1) and Mercer (74.6), yet its 40 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest in this entire regional group. The county's 18.1% poor/fair health rate suggests residents live longer but manage chronic illness without robust primary care support. This paradox reveals a population aging without adequate medical infrastructure.

Critical primary care desert despite decent coverage

Monroe's 40 primary care providers per 100K is a critical shortage—less than half the state average—forcing many residents to drive far for routine check-ups, screenings, and medication management. The 18.1% poor/fair health rate indicates chronic disease prevalence, yet the provider shortage means many conditions go unmanaged. Residents with good insurance still struggle to find a doctor to accept new patients.

Secure coverage to navigate provider challenges

With 6.8% of Monroe residents uninsured and an acute primary care shortage, insurance coverage becomes even more critical to navigating long wait times and distant appointments. Enroll in a Marketplace plan during open enrollment at healthcare.gov or explore Medicaid eligibility at mybenefits.pa.gov. Coverage ensures you can access one of Monroe's scarce primary care slots when you need it most.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 85.08, Monroe County experiences significantly above-average natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. counties overall. The county earned a "Relatively Moderate" risk rating, indicating meaningful hazards that require active preparation and mitigation. Monroe residents face one of the more challenging disaster profiles in the nation.

Among Pennsylvania's highest-risk counties

Monroe County's risk score of 85.08 substantially exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, placing it among the state's most vulnerable counties. Only Montgomery County (96.82) and Northampton County (90.01) face comparable or greater exposure. Monroe's "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects genuine and multifaceted hazard exposure across flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

Riskier than most Pennsylvania counties

Monroe County's score of 85.08 is significantly higher than Mifflin (69.27), Lycoming (79.58), and Mercer (77.74) to the west and north. Only Northampton County (90.01) immediately nearby approaches Monroe's risk level; most other counties in the state rank substantially safer. Monroe's position in northeastern Pennsylvania, vulnerable to Atlantic weather systems, drives its elevated exposure.

Multiple serious hazards converge

Monroe County faces threats from multiple major hazard types: hurricane risk at 82.44, earthquake exposure at 73.19, tornado risk at 65.94, and flood exposure at 88.07. This convergence of threats—unusual for Pennsylvania—reflects the county's location near the Atlantic coast and geologically active areas. No single hazard dominates; residents must prepare comprehensively.

Comprehensive preparation is essential

Monroe County residents need flood insurance (88.07 risk), secure roofing for hurricane and tornado seasons, and earthquake-safe structural bracing—a rare combination of protections for Pennsylvania. Reinforce your home's foundation and secure heavy furniture to walls to protect against earthquake damage. Create a multi-hazard emergency plan covering floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes specific to your property.

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.