CountyScore

Nevada County

California · CA

#33 in California
59.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Nevada County, California

Nevada Outpaces the National Median

Nevada County scores 59.3, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by 19% and ranking it solidly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects a balanced mix of manageable tax burden, moderate incomes, and reasonable housing costs.

Close to California's Statewide Average

At 59.3, Nevada sits just below California's 61.3 average, placing it squarely in the state's middle range. The county offers a pleasant balance between Sierra foothill living and economic viability.

Tax Efficiency and Balanced Housing

Nevada boasts a tax score of 81.4 with an effective rate of 0.741%, while the cost score of 47.8 reflects median home values of $602,800 and rent at $1,635/month. This combination creates reasonable financial footing for middle-class families.

Moderate Income Levels

The income score of 38.8 indicates median household income of $84,905, requiring household discipline to afford home ownership at local prices. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains unavailable.

Suited for Mountain Lifestyle Seekers

Nevada County appeals to remote workers and retirees earning $80,000+ who value mountain scenery, small-town community, and tax efficiency. Families seeking outdoor recreation and modest-sized town living will find solid value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.4Cost47.8SafetyComing SoonHealth77.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome38.8Risk10.1WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠47.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼38.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.1
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 Nevada County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fresno County
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59.7
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Median income: $65,044
Lee County
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59.7
Median income: $73,099
Dauphin County
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Median income: $74,159
Norfolk city
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Median income: $64,017

Deep Dives

Nevada County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nevada County

via TaxByCounty

Nevada County's rates edge above national norm

Nevada County's effective rate of 0.741% exceeds the national median of 0.85%... actually sits below, but closely mirrors it, placing Nevada in the middle ground nationally. Homeowners pay $4,468 annually in median property taxes, 66% above the national median of $2,690, driven by a median home value of $602,800.

Nevada County ranks above state average taxes

At 0.741%, Nevada County's effective rate exceeds California's state average of 0.714%, landing it in the higher-taxed half of California counties. The median tax bill of $4,468 also surpasses the state median of $4,045, reflecting both above-average rates and strong home valuations.

Nevada County taxed higher than Placer, Modoc

Nevada's 0.741% rate trails the region's highest taxer, Placer County (0.850%), but exceeds nearby Plumas (0.721%) and substantially outpaces Modoc (0.682%). This places Nevada in the upper range for the northern Sierra Nevada foothills region.

Median Nevada County home costs $4,468 yearly

With a median home value of $602,800 and an effective rate of 0.741%, Nevada County homeowners pay roughly $4,468 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, the figure rises to $4,695; without them, it drops to $3,986.

Mountain communities should verify assessment fairness

Nevada County's mix of mountain communities, rural properties, and foothill homes means assessment practices can vary—some homes may be valued using outdated comparables from slower market periods. Requesting your assessor's value and comparing it to recent local sales is the fastest way to identify overassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nevada County

via CostByCounty

Sierra foothill housing strains budgets

Nevada County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.1% exceeds the national comfort threshold of 28-30%, despite a median household income of $84,905 that's 14% above the national average. Renters here spend $1,635 monthly—nearly a quarter of earnings—on housing in this Gold Country region.

Above average cost for California

Nevada County's 23.1% rent-to-income ratio tops California's state average of 22.4%, placing it among the state's moderately expensive housing markets. Its median home value of $602,800 reflects steady demand from residents seeking mountain living with reasonable access to urban centers.

Pricier than mountain neighbors

Nevada County's median gross rent of $1,635 sits between Mono's ($1,593) and Placer's ($1,991), while its home value of $602,800 undercuts both. For renters, Nevada offers more affordability than surrounding foothill and mountain counties, though ownership still requires substantial income.

Sierra living demands real income

Nevada County renters dedicate 23.1% of their $84,905 income to rent ($1,635/month), while homeowners commit 28.3% to ownership costs ($2,001/month). Homeownership here approaches the affordability ceiling, leaving limited budget flexibility for other expenses.

Nevada County for mountain-town seekers

Nevada County offers a middle path: Sierra Nevada beauty without the extreme prices of resort areas like Mono, yet with stronger housing affordability than Bay Area counties. If you earn above $85,000 and value mountain access with small-town character, Nevada County rewards exploration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nevada County

via IncomeByCounty

Nevada County earns above national median

Nevada County's median household income of $84,905 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 14%, reflecting a mixed rural-urban economy with strong remote work and small-business presence. The county ranks comfortably in the upper-income tier nationally.

Slightly below California's income average

At $84,905, Nevada County's median household income trails California's state average of $87,001 by roughly $2,000 per household. The county sits near the state median, with incomes typical of many California counties outside major metros.

Nevada County's mountain-town advantage

Nevada's $84,905 income outpaces rural Modoc ($56,648) and Plumas ($64,946) but falls short of Napa ($108,970) and higher-earning counties to the south. The county benefits from proximity to Sacramento and appeal to remote workers seeking mountain living.

Housing costs rise with mountain appeal

Nevada's 23.1% rent-to-income ratio reflects median home values of $602,800, making housing a significant budget item for median-income households. The county's growing appeal to out-of-state buyers has driven values up faster than local incomes.

Build savings in an affordable pocket

Nevada County's near-state-average income combined with lower housing costs than many California metros creates space for household savings and investment. Residents should capitalize on this affordability window by establishing emergency funds and retirement accounts before home prices climb further.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nevada County

via HealthByCounty

Nevada County's healthy trajectory

Nevada residents live to 80.0 years on average, beating the U.S. average of 78.5 years by 1.5 years. At 17.0% reporting poor or fair health, Nevada shows a relatively healthy population with manageable chronic disease burden.

Nevada outperforms state average

Nevada's 80.0-year life expectancy surpasses California's 78.5-year average, positioning the county among the state's healthier regions. The 17.0% poor/fair health rate is below state patterns, indicating better-than-average wellness.

Nevada leads Sierra foothills

Nevada's 80.0-year life expectancy tops Plumas (78.2) and Modoc (74.6), reflecting strong regional health leadership. With 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Nevada has solid frontline access compared to rural peers.

Lowest uninsured rate in cohort

At just 6.2%, Nevada's uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties and below California's 7.2% average, ensuring most residents have coverage. Nevada also boasts 1,143 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—an exceptional resource that far exceeds all peers.

Nevada County coverage is strong

Nevada's high coverage rate means most residents already have health insurance, but if you're in the 6.2% uninsured, options exist. Covered California and local enrollment assistance are ready to help you get covered.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nevada County

via RiskByCounty

Nevada County: Above-Average U.S. Risk

Nevada County's composite risk score of 89.89 ranks it as relatively moderate and exceeds the national average. This Sierra foothills region faces significant wildfire and seismic hazards typical of California's interior.

Moderate-to-High Within California

Nevada County scores 89.89—just above California's state average of 88.72—placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. It sits near the threshold between moderate and high-risk counties.

Similar Risk to Gold Country Counties

Nevada County's score of 89.89 mirrors Placer County (93.07) and Plumas County (86.39), all sharing Sierra Nevada geography and wildfire exposure. The region's elevation and forest cover create consistent hazard patterns.

Wildfire and Earthquake Are Primary Hazards

Nevada County's wildfire risk is exceptionally high at 99.43—the highest single hazard in the county. Earthquake risk follows at 92.11, while flood and tornado risks remain moderate to low.

Prioritize Wildfire Insurance and Preparedness

With a wildfire risk of 99.43, Nevada County residents should ensure comprehensive fire coverage and maintain defensible space around their homes. Add earthquake insurance to protect against the second-highest hazard; standard policies exclude seismic 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.