CountyScore

Norfolk County

Massachusetts · MA

#14 in Massachusetts
56.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Norfolk matches national livability median

Norfolk County's composite score of 50.9 sits just marginally above the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 50th percentile nationally. The county performs at parity with typical American communities on overall livability.

Below Massachusetts county average

Norfolk's 50.9 score trails the state average of 57.1 by 6.2 points, ranking it firmly in the lower half of Massachusetts counties. This gap indicates Norfolk residents face more livability constraints than most Bay State peers.

Strong incomes with moderate tax burden

Norfolk boasts a median household income of $126,497 paired with an income score of 65.9, among the highest in this group. The tax score of 71.6 reflects an effective rate of 1.090%, ensuring residents retain reasonable portions of their earnings.

Housing affordability lags despite decent incomes

Norfolk's cost score of 31.6 reveals median home values of $649,400 and monthly rent of $2,072—expensive relative to regional income levels. Missing data on safety, health, schools, risks, and water quality prevents a complete livability assessment.

For affluent commuters in suburban Boston

Norfolk County fits high-earning professionals and families who want suburban space while maintaining access to Boston-area jobs and can afford $650,000+ homes. If six-figure income and suburban living appeal to you more than urban amenities or rural affordability, Norfolk provides a practical middle ground.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.6Cost31.6SafetyComing SoonHealth86.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome65.9Risk8WaterComing Soon
🏛71.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠31.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼65.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤86.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8
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 Norfolk 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
Merrimack County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $93,944
Strafford County
New Hampshire
56.1
Median income: $86,564
Monroe County
Pennsylvania
56.1
Median income: $82,374

Deep Dives

Norfolk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Norfolk County

via TaxByCounty

Norfolk's taxes far exceed the national average

Norfolk County's effective tax rate of 1.090% is nearly four times the national norm, with residents paying $7,081 annually versus the national median of $2,690. The county's median home value of $649,400 is 2.3 times the national median, making property taxes a substantial expense for homeowners.

Slightly above Massachusetts average

Norfolk County's effective tax rate of 1.090% marginally exceeds Massachusetts' state average of 1.065%, positioning it as a moderate-to-high-tax county within the state. The county's median property tax of $7,081 is about $1,930 higher than the state median of $5,149.

Among the highest-taxed in the region

Norfolk County's 1.090% rate sits between Middlesex (1.054%) and Plymouth (1.237%), but substantially exceeds Nantucket (0.215%) and Suffolk (0.666%). Worcester County at 1.333% remains the region's highest-tax jurisdiction, yet Norfolk maintains consistently elevated rates compared to neighboring areas.

Your median annual property tax bill

Homeowners in Norfolk County with a median-valued property of $649,400 pay approximately $7,081 annually in property taxes. This equates to roughly $590 per month, representing a significant ongoing expense for the average county household.

Assessment errors are costing you money

Many Norfolk County homeowners pay inflated property taxes due to overassessments that go unchallenged. Residents should request their property assessment details and consider filing an appeal if they believe their valuation exceeds fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Norfolk County

via CostByCounty

Norfolk: Most balanced housing affordability

Norfolk County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% ranks as one of Massachusetts's most balanced, nearly matching the national average of 19.3% despite a median household income of $126,497. This county consistently delivers strong wage growth relative to housing costs, making it one of the state's affordability leaders.

Second-best affordability in Massachusetts

Norfolk ranks second only to Plymouth County among Massachusetts counties for rent-to-income balance, with a 19.7% ratio slightly above the state average of 19.3%. The county's median rent of $2,072 reflects suburban proximity to Boston, yet its high median income keeps the burden reasonable.

Balanced middle ground in greater Boston

Norfolk's $2,072 median rent sits between Middlesex's $2,126 and Plymouth's $1,655, while its $649,400 median home value aligns closely with Middlesex at $687,200. Among greater Boston suburbs, Norfolk offers the sweet spot of modest pricing with robust incomes.

Renters and buyers share similar burdens

Renters pay $2,072 monthly while homeowners spend $2,524, representing 19.7% and 20.1% of the $126,497 median income respectively. Norfolk's unusual harmony—where rents and mortgages impose nearly equal proportional burdens—reflects a mature suburban market with balanced supply.

The Goldilocks county for Boston commuters

Norfolk offers affluent suburban living with the most predictable housing costs in Massachusetts—ideal if you earn $120,000+ and want Boston access without premium pricing. If you're comparing moves across Massachusetts, Norfolk delivers better affordability than Middlesex with more amenities than Plymouth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Norfolk County

via IncomeByCounty

Norfolk incomes lead the nation

Norfolk County's median household income of $126,497 runs 69% above the national median of $74,755. This south-of-Boston region harnesses wealth from Boston's financial services, healthcare, and professional sectors.

First or second in state earnings

Norfolk ranks among Massachusetts's top two counties by median household income at $126,497, edging past the state average of $96,546. The county's proximity to Boston and Route 128's tech corridor drives sustained high incomes.

Essentially tied with Middlesex County

Norfolk's $126,497 median virtually matches Middlesex's $126,779, making them the two wealthiest counties in Massachusetts. Together, they form the state's high-income power center south and west of Boston.

Housing costs remain manageable

Norfolk's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% is the lowest among its peer counties, signaling strong affordability. With median home values at $649,400, dual-income households have realistic pathways to homeownership.

Secure your financial future now

Norfolk residents earning $126,497 median should capitalize on their income advantage to fund retirement, children's education, and long-term investments. Work with a financial planner to ensure earnings translate into generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Norfolk County

via HealthByCounty

Norfolk adds years to lifespans

Norfolk County residents live to 81.2 years on average, nearly 2.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 12.1% reporting poor or fair health compared to the national rate of 15.3%, the county demonstrates strong health outcomes.

Above-average health across Norfolk

Norfolk County exceeds the state average life expectancy of 79.7 years by 1.5 years, placing it in Massachusetts's healthier counties. However, its 12.1% poor/fair health rate runs slightly above the state average, suggesting room for health improvement.

Strong showing against similar counties

Norfolk's 81.2-year life expectancy edges past Plymouth County (78.8 years) and Worcester County (78.8 years), though it trails Middlesex County (81.5 years). The county's 2.4% uninsured rate matches Middlesex and Plymouth, among the state's best.

Robust primary and mental health care

Norfolk offers 120 primary care providers and 715 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, strong infrastructure for routine and behavioral health needs. At 2.4% uninsured, nearly all residents have the financial means to access available providers.

Keep coverage strong in Norfolk

Strong health outcomes depend on consistent insurance access; don't let coverage gaps compromise your care. Visit healthcare.gov or MassHealth to review your options and renew coverage before the deadline.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Norfolk County

via RiskByCounty

Norfolk carries moderately high disaster risk

Norfolk County scores 92.02 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category—above the national average. This score reflects substantial exposure to multiple hazards concentrated along the county's heavily populated coastal and urban areas.

Second-highest risk county in Massachusetts

Norfolk ranks second-riskiest in Massachusetts after Middlesex, with a composite score of 92.02 compared to the state average of 78.84. The county's 17% elevation above state average reflects particularly acute flood and earthquake vulnerabilities.

Riskier than Plymouth, safer than Middlesex

Norfolk's 92.02 score exceeds Plymouth County (90.36) but trails the state's highest-risk county, Middlesex (96.95). The county's flood risk (95.45) is comparable to regional peers, while its tornado risk (68.96) is among the lowest in its cluster.

Floods and earthquakes dominate your risks

Flood risk leads at 95.45, while earthquake risk reaches 91.51—both among Massachusetts's highest. Hurricane risk (92.20) and tornado risk (68.96) complete Norfolk's hazard portfolio, though less severe than some regional neighbors.

Bundle flood and earthquake insurance today

Standard homeowners policies exclude flood and earthquake coverage, both critical in Norfolk given your county's vulnerability. Securing separate flood and earthquake policies now protects your home's most significant risk exposures while rates remain manageable.

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.