Napa County

California · CA

#45 in California
56
County Score

County Report Card

About Napa County, California

Napa Ranks Above U.S. Median

Napa County scores 55.0, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 10% and placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The score reflects California's premium wine country positioning with high incomes offset by significant housing costs.

Below California's Average

At 55.0, Napa trails California's 61.3 average, ranking in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties despite its prestigious reputation. Housing affordability emerges as the primary livability constraint for this celebrated region.

Highest Incomes Among These Eight

Napa leads with an income score of 54.5 and median household income of $108,970, reflecting a well-educated professional and agricultural workforce. The tax score of 82.7 with an effective rate of 0.696% adds to financial advantage for earners.

Wine Country Premium on Housing

The cost score of 34.4—the lowest among these counties—reflects median home values of $838,800 and gross rent at $2,141/month, among California's steepest. Health, safety, schools, and environmental assessments are pending.

For Wealthy Wine Country Enthusiasts

Napa is built for affluent households earning $110,000+ who prioritize wine, culinary culture, and natural beauty over housing affordability. Professionals in wine, hospitality, and tech with six-figure incomes will find the premium justified.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.7Cost34.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome54.5Risk4.7WaterComing Soon
🏛82.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠34.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼54.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
4.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Napa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Napa County

via TaxByCounty

Napa's high taxes reflect premium home values

Napa County's effective rate of 0.696% sits below the national median of 0.85%, yet homeowners pay $5,840 annually—more than double the national median of $2,690. This apparent paradox reflects Napa's wine country cachet: median homes run $838,800, nearly three times the national median.

Napa just below California's average tax rate

At 0.696%, Napa edges slightly below California's state average effective rate of 0.714%, placing it in the lower-tax tier despite its upscale reputation. However, Napa's median tax bill of $5,840 exceeds the state median of $4,045 by 44%, driven entirely by ultra-premium home valuations.

Napa higher-taxed than coastal Monterey peers

Napa's 0.696% rate exceeds Monterey County's 0.661% and roughly matches Orange County's 0.666%, though Napa's median home values ($838,800) are steeper than Monterey's ($723,100). Napa homeowners trade favorable rates for expensive property, generating the region's highest median tax bills.

Median Napa home costs $5,840 yearly in taxes

A median home valued at $838,800 in Napa County generates approximately $5,840 in annual property taxes at the 0.696% rate. With mortgage impounds factored in, annual taxes climb to $6,856; without them, the base tax is $3,758.

Vineyard properties deserve close assessment scrutiny

Napa's unique wine country character means some agricultural and vineyard properties may be assessed using outdated comparable sales or incorrect use classifications. Landowners should verify their assessor's value reflects current agricultural-use valuations, not speculative development potential, as this can yield substantial appeal savings.

Cost of Living in Napa County

via CostByCounty

Wine country commands wine country prices

Napa County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.6% sits above the national comfort zone, even though the county's median household income of $108,970 is 46% higher than the national average. The county's median home value of $838,800 and monthly rent of $2,141 reflect sustained demand from affluent residents and wine industry workers alike.

Premium among California counties

Napa County's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds California's 22.4% state average, ranking among the state's pricier housing markets. Its median home value of $838,800 stands as one of the highest in the eight-county set, signaling exceptional demand.

Wine country outprices mountain towns

Napa's median gross rent of $2,141 exceeds all comparable counties except Orange County ($2,352), and its median home value of $838,800 is surpassed only by Orange County's ($915,500). Napa's affluent resident base and global wine reputation drive costs above even Monterey County's coastal premium.

Luxury housing for high earners

Napa renters commit 23.6% of their $108,970 income to rent ($2,141/month), while homeowners spend 24.8% on ownership costs ($2,141/month). Even with the county's highest median incomes, housing absorbs nearly a quarter of earnings—substantial by any measure.

Napa for high-income wine country seekers

Napa's world-class wineries, culinary scene, and natural beauty attract affluent residents who accept premium housing costs as the price of entry. If your household income exceeds $100,000 and wine country living justifies the expense, Napa delivers on amenities—but budget accordingly.

Income & Jobs in Napa County

via IncomeByCounty

Napa ranks among nation's highest earners

Napa County's median household income of $108,970 towers 46% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the nation's top-earning counties. The wine industry and affluent communities drive these exceptional income levels.

Napa leads California income rankings

At $108,970, Napa's median household income outpaces California's state average of $87,001 by more than $21,000, ranking it among the state's highest-income counties. The county's wealth concentration supports this premium position.

Napa rivals top earners in region

Napa's $108,970 income ranks third among these eight counties, trailing only Orange ($113,702) and Placer ($114,678). The county's proximity to San Francisco Bay and wine industry prestige support incomes competitive with California's most affluent regions.

High incomes offset high housing costs

Napa's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio reflects median home values of $838,800, among the state's priciest markets. Even premium incomes face affordability pressures in this wine-country hotspot.

Napa's wealth goes beyond mortgages

With median per capita income of $57,795—the highest among these eight counties—Napa households have substantial capacity to invest beyond primary residences. High earners should maximize retirement contributions and diversify investments to build generational wealth.

Health in Napa County

via HealthByCounty

Napa's longevity outpaces nation

Napa residents live to 81.2 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 78.5 years and reflecting strong overall health outcomes. Just 18.5% report poor or fair health, suggesting most Napa residents enjoy healthy aging.

Napa leads state in life expectancy

At 81.2 years, Napa's life expectancy is notably above California's 78.5-year average, ranking among the healthiest counties in the state. The 18.5% poor/fair health rate is moderate and aligns with state wellness patterns.

Napa among region's healthiest

Napa's 81.2-year life expectancy matches Placer's and exceeds Nevada's (80.0), reflecting strong health performance across the North Bay. At 98 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Napa offers above-average access to frontline care.

Strong coverage and provider access

Napa's 7.4% uninsured rate is nearly in line with California's 7.2% state average, indicating solid coverage across the county. With 98 primary care providers and 682 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Napa boasts robust healthcare infrastructure.

Napa coverage is accessible

If you're among Napa's small uninsured population, Covered California and Medicaid expansion options offer affordable pathways to care. Local health clinics and enrollment assisters are ready to help you find a plan.

Disaster Risk in Napa County

via RiskByCounty

Napa: Well Above National Disaster Risk

Napa County's composite risk score of 95.26 ranks it as relatively high and significantly exceeds the national average. This wine-country region and Bay Area gateway faces major exposure across multiple natural hazard types.

High-Risk Status Within California

Napa's score of 95.26 sits well above California's state average of 88.72, reflecting its exposure to seismic, wildfire, and flood hazards. It ranks among the state's most-at-risk counties.

Comparable Risk to Other Bay Area Counties

Napa's score of 95.26 aligns closely with Sonoma and Contra Costa counties, all sitting in the 90+ range. These Bay Area neighbors share seismic vulnerability and wildfire exposure.

Earthquake, Wildfire, and Flood Dominate

Napa's earthquake risk reaches 98.38, wildfire risk scores 95.96, and flood risk comes in at 95.83—a triple threat. Tornado risk is lower at 18.29 but still notable for the region.

Multi-Hazard Insurance Strategy Required

Napa residents should purchase separate earthquake and flood insurance, as neither is covered by standard homeowners policies. Given wildfire risk of 95.96, verify your fire coverage is adequate and consider defensible space improvements around your home.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.