CountyScore

Monterey County

California · CA

#47 in California
54.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Monterey County, California

Monterey Ranks in National Upper-Middle

Monterey County scores 56.9, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 14% and placing it in the solid upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects a trade-off between low taxes, decent incomes, and expensive housing.

Slightly Below California Average

At 56.9, Monterey falls modestly below California's 61.3 average, ranking in the middle of the state's competitive county landscape. The county offers coastal and agricultural charm balanced against affordability pressures.

Low Taxes and Strong Professional Incomes

Monterey posts a tax score of 83.7 with an effective rate of 0.661%—the state's lowest—while an income score of 45.1 reflects median household income of $94,486. These economic strengths make the county attractive to mid-to-upper-income households.

Coastal Living Comes at a Price

The cost score of 39.7 reveals median home values of $723,100 and gross rent at $1,995/month, placing housing among California's most expensive. Safety, health, schools, and water data are not yet available.

For Affluent Seekers of Coastal Living

Monterey attracts high-earning professionals and families who value proximity to California's iconic coast, agriculture, and cultural assets over maximum affordability. A six-figure household income is nearly essential to live comfortably here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost39.7SafetyComing SoonHealth67.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome45.1Risk1.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠39.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼45.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.3
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 Monterey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Miami-Dade County
Florida
54.9
Median income: $68,694
Hillsborough County
New Hampshire
54.9
Median income: $100,436
Cuyahoga County
Ohio
54.9
Median income: $62,823
Brazos County
Texas
54.9
Median income: $58,388
Jefferson County
Texas
54.9
Median income: $59,934

Deep Dives

Monterey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monterey County

via TaxByCounty

Monterey taxes well below national average

Monterey County's effective rate of 0.661% ranks among California's lowest and significantly undercuts the national median of 0.85%. Yet Monterey homeowners pay $4,782 annually—77% more than the national median of $2,690—because homes here average $723,100, nearly 2.6 times the national median value.

Monterey among lowest-taxed California counties

At 0.661%, Monterey boasts one of California's three lowest effective property tax rates, trailing the state average of 0.714% by a meaningful margin. This favorable rate gives Monterey residents an edge, though high home values still generate substantial tax bills statewide.

Monterey undercuts Napa and Orange County rates

Monterey's 0.661% effective rate beats Napa County (0.696%) and Orange County (0.666%) to the south, offering moderate tax relief in California's premium coastal corridor. Monterey homeowners save hundreds annually compared to equally valued homes in adjacent high-tax regions.

Median Monterey home costs $4,782 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $723,100 and a 0.661% effective rate, Monterey homeowners pay roughly $4,782 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, the figure climbs to $5,366; without them, it drops to $3,540.

Reassess if your home's value doesn't match sales

Monterey's booming coastal real estate market means assessments can lag behind rapid property appreciation—or sometimes overshoot actual market conditions depending on neighborhood trends. Comparing your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales nearby takes minutes and could unlock tax savings if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monterey County

via CostByCounty

Monterey's coastline comes at a price

Monterey County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.3% exceeds the comfortable national threshold, despite the county's strong median household income of $94,486. Renters commit $1,995 monthly—more than a quarter of their earnings—to housing, reflecting the coast's premium value.

Pricier than most of California

Monterey County ranks above California's state average affordability line with a 25.3% rent-to-income ratio, compared to 22.4% statewide. Its median home value of $723,100 signals this is a high-demand coastal market, where Californians pay substantially for proximity to the Pacific.

Coastal premium versus valley relief

Monterey's median gross rent of $1,995 runs $360 higher than Nevada County's ($1,635) and $402 more than Placer County's ($1,991). Home values tell a similar story: Monterey's $723,100 median sits between Napa's ($838,800) and Nevada's ($602,800), marking it as a high-value coastal market.

Coastal living strains even solid incomes

Monterey renters dedicate 25.3% of their $94,486 income to rent ($1,995/month), while homeowners commit 26.5% to ownership ($2,087/month). Both figures exceed recommended thresholds, meaning Monterey households must carefully budget housing alongside other expenses.

Monterey for those who demand the coast

Monterey's stunning Carmel coastline and farmland appeal justify premium prices for those seeking coastal California living. But renters and buyers should anticipate tight housing budgets and consider whether the coastal lifestyle aligns with your financial priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monterey County

via IncomeByCounty

Monterey incomes rank well nationally

Monterey County's median household income of $94,486 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 26%, placing it among the nation's higher-earning counties. This reflects a diverse economy anchored by agriculture, tourism, and professional services.

Above average for California

At $94,486, Monterey's median household income surpasses California's state average of $87,001 by roughly $7,500 per household. The county ranks solidly in the upper half of California counties by income.

Monterey holds strong regional position

Monterey's $94,486 income trails only Placer ($114,678), Orange ($113,702), and Napa ($108,970) among these eight counties, positioning it as a mid-tier earner. The county's agricultural and tourism base supports incomes comparable to many California coastal communities.

Housing costs bite deep in Monterey

Monterey's 25.3% rent-to-income ratio is among the highest across these counties, with median home values of $723,100 consuming a quarter of household income. Families earning the median must carefully budget to afford homeownership in this market.

Leverage income for long-term gains

Monterey's above-average incomes provide a foundation for wealth-building despite high housing costs, especially for households with two earners or professional salaries. Residents should explore down-payment assistance programs and tax-advantaged retirement accounts to accelerate savings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monterey County

via HealthByCounty

Monterey above U.S. life expectancy

Monterey residents live to an average of 80.8 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 78.5 years by more than 2 years. Yet 22.8% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight counties—signaling significant wellness challenges beneath the longevity headline.

High health burden despite longer life

Monterey's 80.8-year life expectancy ranks above California's state average of 78.5 years, but its 22.8% poor/fair health rate is the worst in this cohort. This disparity suggests that while Monterey residents live longer, many face chronic health limitations during those extra years.

Monterey's health burden stands out

At 22.8%, Monterey's poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds neighboring Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Kings counties' rates. With 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Monterey has below-average provider density for a coastal county.

Uninsured rate highest in group

Monterey's 11.6% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties and well above California's 7.2% average, meaning roughly 1 in 9 residents lack coverage. With 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access pressures are acute for both insured and uninsured populations.

Monterey residents: explore coverage now

Covered California and Medicaid expansion have significantly expanded affordable options for Monterey's uninsured residents. Visit getcovered.ca.gov or call 1-800-300-1506 to find a plan that works for you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monterey County

via RiskByCounty

Monterey: High Risk Compared to Nation

Monterey County's composite risk score of 98.73 ranks it as relatively high and well above the national average. This coastal agricultural region faces significant exposure to earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and even tornadoes.

Among California's Highest-Risk Counties

Monterey scores 98.73—nearly 10 points above California's state average of 88.72—placing it in the upper tier of state risk. Its position on the coast and atop the San Andreas Fault zone makes it particularly vulnerable.

Riskier Than Most Regional Peers

Monterey's score of 98.73 exceeds neighboring San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties in overall composite risk. Its combination of coastal exposure, seismic activity, and wildland interface creates compounding hazards.

Earthquake, Flood, and Fire All Major Threats

Monterey faces an exceptional earthquake risk of 99.40, the highest of any hazard, paired with flood risk of 97.30 and wildfire risk of 98.66. Even tornado risk is elevated at 28.66, well above most California counties.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

Monterey homeowners should secure earthquake insurance, flood insurance (especially in coastal and low-lying areas), and wildfire/fire protection. These three hazards account for the bulk of your county's risk; standard homeowners policies will not cover earthquake or flood damage.

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.