CountyScore

Orange County

California · CA

#52 in California
53.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Orange County, California

Orange County Exceeds National Median

Orange County scores 51.4, slightly above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the middle tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects the county's economic strength offset by severe housing cost challenges.

Well Below California's Average

At 51.4, Orange County falls noticeably below California's 61.3 average, making it one of the state's lower-ranking counties despite its affluent reputation. Housing affordability emerges as the dominant livability factor.

Highest Incomes of All Eight Counties

Orange County leads with an income score of 57.6 and median household income of $113,702, reflecting a highly educated, professional workforce. The tax score of 83.5 with an effective rate of 0.666% provides additional financial advantage.

Prohibitive Housing Costs

The cost score of 25.8—the lowest among these counties—reflects median home values of $915,500 and gross rent at $2,352/month, making Orange County nearly inaccessible to non-affluent households. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available.

Exclusively for the High-Income Bracket

Orange County demands household incomes of $115,000+ and is best suited to established professionals, executives, and wealth-accumulators. Without significant income, savings, or equity, the lifestyle here remains out of reach.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.5Cost25.8SafetyComing SoonHealth77.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome57.6Risk0.2WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠25.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼57.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.2
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

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Compare Orange County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New York County
New York
53.8
Median income: $104,553
Milwaukee County
Wisconsin
53.7
Median income: $62,118
Potter County
Texas
53.9
Median income: $50,448
Onondaga County
New York
53.6
Median income: $74,740
Ventura County
California
54
Median income: $107,327

Deep Dives

Orange County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Orange County

via TaxByCounty

Orange County taxes moderate despite high values

Orange County's effective rate of 0.666% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.85%, yet homeowners pay $6,096 annually—more than double the national median of $2,690. This reflects Orange County's extreme home values: the median property is worth $915,500, more than 3.2 times the national median.

Orange County among California's lowest tax rates

At 0.666%, Orange County ranks among the three lowest effective property tax rates in California, well below the state average of 0.714%. Despite this favorability, Orange County's median tax of $6,096 is the highest among all eight counties surveyed, purely because of exceptional home values.

Orange County taxes lowest among coastal peers

Orange County's 0.666% rate undercuts both Napa (0.696%) and Monterey (0.661%), though all three coastal premium markets cluster tightly in the lowest-tax tier. However, Orange's median home values ($915,500) exceed all peers, generating the region's largest median tax bills.

Median Orange County home costs $6,096 yearly

A median home valued at $915,500 in Orange County generates approximately $6,096 in annual property taxes at the 0.666% effective rate. With mortgage impounds, annual taxes climb to $6,733; without them, the base tax is $4,432.

High-value homes deserve reassessment reviews

Orange County's booming real estate market means assessments can fall behind rapid appreciation or occasionally overshoot market conditions in downturn years. For homes valued above $500,000, a professional assessment review comparing your county record to recent sales in your specific neighborhood can identify thousands in potential savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Orange County

via CostByCounty

Orange County: Expensive even for California

Orange County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.8% sits firmly above the national affordability threshold, despite a county median household income of $113,702—the highest in this eight-county set. Renters here commit $2,352 monthly—nearly a quarter of earnings—to housing in Southern California's premier coastal market.

One of California's priciest counties

Orange County's 24.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds California's 22.4% state average, ranking among the state's most expensive housing markets. Its median home value of $915,500 stands as the highest in this comparison, reflecting Orange County's desirability as a coastal employment and lifestyle hub.

Orange County's coastal premium dominates

Orange County's median gross rent of $2,352 tops all comparison counties except nothing—it's the highest here—while its $915,500 median home value also leads the set. Even Napa County, with comparable incomes, offers cheaper rents and homes, underscoring Orange County's unique demand.

Top incomes still stretched thin

Orange County renters spend 24.8% of their $113,702 income on rent ($2,352/month), while homeowners commit 27.0% to ownership costs ($2,556/month). Even with the county's highest median incomes, housing absorbs more than a quarter of earnings—a substantial ongoing burden.

Orange County for committed coastal dwellers

Orange County delivers beaches, jobs, and world-class schools—but demands six-figure household income to achieve comfortable housing affordability. If Southern California coastal living ranks non-negotiable in your priorities, Orange County's premium reflects genuine scarcity; otherwise, consider whether the price aligns with your values.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Orange County

via IncomeByCounty

Orange County ranks among nation's richest

Orange County's median household income of $113,702 soars 52% above the U.S. median of $74,755, establishing it among America's highest-earning counties. The county's defense, aerospace, and technology sectors drive exceptional income levels.

California's second-highest county income

Orange County's median household income of $113,702 exceeds California's state average of $87,001 by $26,701, ranking it second among the state's most affluent counties. Only a handful of California counties match Orange's wealth concentration.

Orange County leads peer group

Orange's $113,702 median income ranks second among these eight counties, trailing only Placer ($114,678) by less than $1,000. The county's size and economic diversity establish it as a regional income powerhouse.

Even high earners face housing pressure

Orange County's 24.8% rent-to-income ratio and median home values of $915,500 reveal that even top-tier incomes struggle with housing affordability. Families must dedicate nearly a quarter of gross income to housing in this competitive market.

Orange County's wealth-building potential

With median per capita income of $52,816 and dual-earner households common, Orange County residents enjoy strong capacity for investment beyond housing. Affluent households should prioritize diversified portfolios, educational savings plans, and tax-efficient investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Orange County

via HealthByCounty

Orange County's health advantage

Orange County residents live to 81.3 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 78.5 years and reflecting strong population health. At just 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, Orange County boasts one of the healthiest populations in this cohort.

Orange County exceeds state norms

At 81.3 years, Orange County's life expectancy beats California's 78.5-year average, signaling sustained wellness across the region. The 16.2% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in the state, reflecting effective health management.

Orange County leads Southern California

Orange County's 81.3-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring San Diego, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties, positioning it as a regional health leader. With 100 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Orange County ensures robust primary care access.

Strong coverage and care access

At 7.3%, Orange County's uninsured rate is nearly in line with California's 7.2% state average, ensuring most residents have coverage. With 100 primary care providers and 400 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Orange County delivers solid healthcare infrastructure.

Orange County: get covered today

If you're among Orange County's uninsured, Covered California and Medicaid expansion offer affordable options tailored to your needs. Call 1-800-300-1506 or visit getcovered.ca.gov to explore plans in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Orange County

via RiskByCounty

Orange County: Highest Risk in Nation

Orange County's composite risk score of 99.81 ranks it as very high—essentially at the maximum risk level across all U.S. counties. This densely populated coastal region faces earthquake, wildfire, flood, and tornado hazards simultaneously.

California's Most Dangerous County

Orange County's score of 99.81 is the highest in California and towers over the state average of 88.72. Its combination of 10+ million residents, coastal location, seismic activity, and wildland-urban interface creates extraordinary vulnerability.

Riskier Than Any Surrounding County

Orange County's 99.81 score far exceeds Los Angeles (in similar ranges), Ventura, and San Diego counties. Its dense urbanization in high-hazard zones amplifies overall risk compared to less-populated neighbors.

All Hazards Present Critical Threats

Orange County faces extreme risk across all measurable hazards: earthquake (99.87), wildfire (99.81), flood (99.81), and an unusually high tornado risk of 83.72 for California. This multi-threat environment is unique in the state.

Mandatory Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Orange County homeowners must carry earthquake insurance, flood insurance (especially in coastal and low-lying areas), and standard fire coverage—this is not optional. With the state's highest composite risk of 99.81, gaps in any category expose you to potentially catastrophic loss.

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.