Nye County

Nevada · NV

#11 in Nevada
66.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Nye County, Nevada

Nye outperforms national median by 34 points

Nye County's composite score of 66.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the top 33rd percentile. Despite being the second-largest by geography in Nevada, it maintains above-average livability.

Slightly below Nevada's state average

Nye's score of 66.9 falls below Nevada's state average of 69.5, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. Its profile reflects trade-offs between tax efficiency and income constraints.

Tax efficiency and affordable rents stand out

Nye offers an effective tax rate of 0.472% (tax score: 89.0) and the second-lowest median rent at $1,013/month. This makes it attractive to those prioritizing both tax burden and housing affordability.

Risk vulnerability and low incomes are concerns

Nye's risk score of 21.7 is the second-lowest in this group, suggesting elevated economic or natural hazard vulnerabilities. A median household income of just $55,975 and income score of 19.9 indicate limited local wage opportunities.

A desert option for remote workers and retirees

Nye County works best for remote workers, retirees, and those with self-directed income who aren't dependent on local employment. The risk profile warrants investigation, but for the right person, tax efficiency and affordable rents offer compelling value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89Cost76.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.9Risk21.7WaterComing Soon
🏛89
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
62.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
21.7
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

Nye County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nye County

via TaxByCounty

Nye County taxes are unusually affordable

At 0.472% effective rate, Nye County charges less than half the national median rate, ranking among America's most tax-friendly large counties. The median tax of $1,256 is 53% below the national median of $2,690, despite median home values near the national mark.

Well below Nevada's statewide average

Nye County's 0.472% effective rate sits comfortably below Nevada's 0.525% state average, positioning it in the bottom tier. The median tax of $1,256 runs 13% below the state median of $1,443, reflecting both favorable rates and reasonable home values.

Nye offers competitive rates among larger counties

Nye County's 0.472% rate matches Lyon County's rate, making both county outliers for affordability. At $266,000 median home value, Nye sits between rural counties and urban centers, maintaining accessible tax bills.

Median Nye home costs $1,256 yearly

On the county's median home value of $266,000, property owners pay an estimated $1,256 in annual taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage can expect roughly $1,375 annually, while those without pay closer to $1,083.

Nye homeowners can challenge overvaluations

Many Nevada properties carry assessments higher than market value, and Nye County is no exception. If your home valuation appears inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, filing a formal appeal could reduce your annual tax bill.

Cost of Living in Nye County

via CostByCounty

Nye renters face above-average pressure

Nye County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% sits above the national norm, indicating moderate housing affordability challenges in this growing southern Nevada county. With median rent at $1,013 against a median household income of $55,975, renters spend more than one-fifth of earnings on housing—a significant burden for families with limited flexibility.

Below state average but still tight

Nye County's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Nevada's state average of 18.1%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. However, Nye rents of $1,013 are slightly below the state median rent of $1,127, suggesting the affordability challenge stems more from limited wages than sky-high rents.

Middle ground in rural Nevada

Nye County's $1,013 median rent falls between cheaper rural counties like Lincoln ($754) and pricier ones like Lyon ($1,259), reflecting its mixed economic base of mining, tourism, and government jobs. Household income of $55,975 is higher than Mineral's $50,584 but far below northern counties, resulting in moderate affordability strain.

Ownership offers modest relief

Nye renters pay $1,013 monthly while homeowners pay $874, giving buyers a $139 monthly advantage and reducing the housing burden to 18.8% of the $55,975 median income. With a median home value of $266,000, ownership requires substantial savings but remains more affordable than renting for those who can qualify.

Consider carefully if renting long-term

Nye County appeals to remote workers and retirees but challenges traditional renters—housing consumes 21.7% of income, above the state average and unsustainable for lower-wage households. If relocating here, prioritize homeownership or ensure remote income substantially above the $55,975 median to maintain financial stability.

Income & Jobs in Nye County

via IncomeByCounty

Nye lags national income standard

Nye County's median household income of $55,975 falls 25% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects Nye's rural character and reliance on tourism, government, and mining—all subject to cyclical fluctuations.

Sixth among Nevada counties

At $55,975, Nye ranks sixth among Nevada's eight tracked counties, roughly $19,200 below the state average of $75,206. The county faces persistent income challenges relative to other Nevada regions.

Nye exceeds only Mineral County

Nye's $55,975 outpaces only Mineral County ($50,584) among these eight counties, while trailing Pershing ($72,007), Lincoln ($69,496), and Lyon ($73,460). The income gap signals Nye's tighter job market.

Housing costs press hard here

Nye's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% exceeds the 20% caution mark, with a median home value of $266,000 straining modest household earnings. Housing affordability is a meaningful challenge for Nye families.

Strengthen income foundations first

Nye residents should prioritize stable, year-round employment opportunities and skill advancement before aggressive investing. Work with nonprofit credit counseling services and explore shared savings programs to build financial stability amid housing pressures.

Health in Nye County

via HealthByCounty

Nye County lags behind national averages

Nye County residents live to 73.3 years on average—3.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 and 1.9 years below Nevada's 75.2-year average. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.0%) report poor or fair health, well above national averages.

Second-lowest life expectancy in Nevada

Nye ranks among Nevada's poorest-performing counties for health outcomes, trailing only Mineral County. The county's 10.3% uninsured rate is below the state average, but health disparities persist.

Significantly worse than western peers

Nye's 73.3-year life expectancy trails Lander (75.2), Lyon (74.2), and Lincoln (77.0) counties. The 23% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than all nearby counties.

Primary care access lags provider strength

Nye has only 24 primary care providers per 100K—less than a third of the national average of 90 per 100K. Mental health providers are plentiful at 151 per 100K, but the shortage of primary care physicians limits preventive care access.

Strengthen your coverage today

With 10.3% uninsured, Nye County's coverage rate is better than state average but health outcomes remain poor. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore plans and ensure your family has stable, continuous coverage.

Disaster Risk in Nye County

via RiskByCounty

Nye County faces relatively low national risk

Nye County's composite risk score of 78.34 ranks as relatively low nationally, though it exceeds many U.S. counties in overall exposure. The score reflects concentrated risks in specific hazard categories rather than pervasive vulnerability across all disaster types.

Highest-risk county in rural Nevada

Nye County's 78.34 composite risk score significantly exceeds Nevada's state average of 46.25, making it the state's highest-risk county outside the Reno-Carson urban corridor. This large southern Nevada county faces notably greater natural disaster exposure than most statewide peers.

Riskier than all nearby counties

Nye County's 78.34 score substantially exceeds Lincoln County (25.92), Lyon County (71.41), and Esmeralda County's typical risk levels. As a sprawling county with diverse terrain and development, it faces compounded hazards across multiple categories.

Floods, earthquakes, and wildfires converge

Nye County faces its highest risks from floods (81.87), earthquakes (90.97), and wildfires (80.92), making it uniquely vulnerable across three major hazard categories. This convergence of threats is exceptional among Nevada counties.

Get comprehensive multi-hazard insurance

Homeowners must secure flood (81.87), earthquake (90.97), and wildfire (80.92) insurance given Nye County's triple-threat hazard profile. Implement defensible space standards, elevate critical systems, and ensure structural seismic reinforcement.

ByCounty Network

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