CountyScore

Osceola County

Florida · FL

#64 in Florida
58.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Osceola County, Florida

Osceola Outpaces the National Median

Osceola County's composite score of 61.7 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. This positions the county in the upper-middle range for livability across the United States.

Below Florida's Average Performance

With a score of 61.7, Osceola ranks below Florida's state average of 69.4, placing it in the middle tier among the state's counties. The 7.7-point gap suggests room for improvement in some dimensions affecting overall livability.

Tax Efficiency and Stable Housing Costs

Osceola excels with a tax score of 80.1, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.786%—among the lowest in the state. The county balances this with moderate housing costs, where median rents run $1,651 monthly and home values average $317,600.

Income Growth Lags Regional Standards

The income score of 28.2 reveals a notable weakness, with a median household income of $68,711—below state and regional peers. Several key dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality lack data, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Best for Tax-Conscious Budget Builders

Osceola suits families and retirees prioritizing low tax burdens and affordable housing over high incomes or extensive amenities. With modest household earnings and incomplete data on schools and safety, this county works best for those willing to trade income potential for fiscal stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.1Cost56.2SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.2Risk8WaterComing Soon
🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠56.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.4
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 Osceola County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Georgia
58.1
Median income: $77,683
Polk County
Iowa
58.1
Median income: $81,621
Chester County
Pennsylvania
58.1
Median income: $123,041
Providence County
Rhode Island
58.1
Median income: $78,204
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625

Deep Dives

Osceola County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Osceola County

via TaxByCounty

Osceola taxes above national average

Osceola's effective tax rate of 0.786% exceeds the national median of 0.71%, placing the county in the upper tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,498 falls just below the national median of $2,690, reflecting higher home values in the county ($317,600) compared to the national median ($281,900).

Among Florida's highest tax rates

Osceola ranks above the Florida state average effective rate of 0.731%, making it one of the pricier counties to own property statewide. The median tax of $2,498 significantly outpaces Florida's median of $1,885, a 33% premium.

Higher than Polk and Pasco peers

Osceola's 0.786% rate outpaces neighboring Polk County (0.737%) and Pasco County (0.763%). However, the county's median home value of $317,600 positions it in the mid-range for Central Florida property markets.

Expect $2,498 annual property tax

On Osceola's median home value of $317,600, homeowners pay roughly $2,498 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that annual bill climbs to $2,574 once county taxes and fees apply.

Your assessment may be too high

Many Osceola homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable properties in the county. Consider filing an appeal with the property appraiser's office—you may discover savings of hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Osceola County

via CostByCounty

Osceola rents hit harder than US average

Osceola County renters spend 28.8% of their income on rent, notably above the national benchmark of roughly 30% at affordability limits. The county's median household income of $68,711 trails the national median by $6,044, making housing costs feel heavier on local wallets.

More expensive than most Florida counties

At 28.8% of income, Osceola's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing the county among the pricier markets in the state. Median rent of $1,651 runs $418 higher than the state average, reflecting Orlando-area growth pressures.

Pricier than Polk, cheaper than Palm Beach

Osceola renters pay $1,651 monthly—$379 more than neighboring Polk County but $167 less than Palm Beach County. Among the central Florida corridor, Osceola sits firmly in the middle for cost but carries one of the higher affordability burdens due to relatively modest incomes.

Housing eats 54% of monthly expenses

Renters spend $1,651 monthly while homeowners carry $1,427 in mortgage payments, and combined they represent nearly 32% of the median household income of $68,711. That leaves Osceola households roughly $3,600 monthly for all other expenses after housing.

Relocating? Compare your budget here

If you're considering a move to Osceola, expect to allocate 29% of income to rent—significantly more than Santa Rosa County's 19.5% but less than Palm Beach's 26.9%. Use these figures to model your housing budget against local job opportunities and quality of life factors.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Osceola County

via IncomeByCounty

Osceola trails national income average

Osceola County's median household income of $68,711 falls about 8% below the national median of $74,755. This positions the county in the lower-middle range for U.S. counties, reflecting Central Florida's diverse economic mix of tourism, agriculture, and service industries.

Above-average earner in Florida rankings

At $68,711, Osceola County's median household income exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by roughly $3,200. This places the county in the upper half of Florida's 67 counties, driven largely by proximity to Orlando's employment hub.

Competitive with central Florida peers

Osceola County's $68,711 income sits between Polk County ($63,644) and Pinellas County ($70,293), making it a middle performer among its regional neighbors. The county's per capita income of $31,000 is notably lower than coastal peers like Sarasota, reflecting different demographic and employment patterns.

Housing costs manageable but tight

Osceola's rent-to-income ratio of 28.8% sits just above the 28% affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes nearly a third of typical household earnings. With a median home value of $317,600, homeownership requires solid income stability and down payment savings.

Build wealth through strategic saving

With median income around $69,000, Osceola residents have room to invest 10-15% of earnings into retirement and savings accounts. Starting early with a 401(k) or IRA can compound significantly over decades, especially for younger workers entering the job market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Osceola County

via HealthByCounty

Osceola lives longer than most Americans

At 77.7 years, Osceola County's life expectancy tops the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a sign of relatively good health outcomes. Yet one in five residents reports poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 18%, suggesting pockets of vulnerability within the county.

A healthy edge over Florida

Osceola residents live nearly 2 years longer than the Florida state average of 75.8 years, placing the county in the healthier half of the state. This advantage reflects both younger demographics and better preventive care access than many rural Florida counties.

Outpacing Polk, trailing Palm Beach

Osceola's 77.7-year life expectancy outpaces neighboring Polk County (76.1 years) but trails wealthier Palm Beach County (80.7 years). The 1.5-year gap with Polk underscores how local economic conditions shape health outcomes across the region.

Moderate insurance gaps, uneven provider access

Osceola's 13.2% uninsured rate sits slightly below Florida's 14.4%, but access to primary care remains tight at 41 providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the rate in nearby Pinellas County. Mental health support is stronger, with 188 providers per 100,000, easing the path to behavioral care.

Find affordable coverage today

One in seven Osceola residents still lacks health insurance. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore marketplace plans, Medicaid eligibility, and employer coverage options tailored to your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Osceola County

via RiskByCounty

Osceola faces moderate national risk

Osceola County's composite risk score of 91.95 places it well above the national average, reflecting significant exposure to multiple hazards. While rated Relatively Moderate, the county outranks most U.S. counties in overall disaster risk, driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire threats.

Middle of the pack in Florida

With a score of 91.95, Osceola ranks as a moderately risky county within Florida, sitting 16 points above the state average of 75.74. The county faces greater exposure than most inland Florida communities but less than coastal powerhouses like Palm Beach and Pinellas.

Higher risk than central neighbors

Osceola's 91.95 score exceeds Polk County's 96.53 slightly lower inland exposure but trails the more hurricane-exposed counties to its west and south. Putnam County to the north registers 79.74, showing how distance from the coast significantly reduces composite risk in Florida.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate

Osceola faces exceptional wildfire risk at 94.82 and hurricane exposure at 94.16, making storm preparation and landscape management critical priorities. Tornado risk of 93.61 adds another layer of concern, though flood risk at 92.08 remains substantial given the county's low-lying terrain.

Ensure comprehensive coverage now

Given Osceola's high hurricane, wildfire, and tornado risks, homeowners should verify robust wind and hail coverage in their policies, as standard homeowners insurance often excludes wildfires. A separate flood policy is essential; even moderate rain can overwhelm drainage systems in low-elevation areas.

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.