CountyScore

Oswego County

New York · NY

#44 in New York
56.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Oswego County, New York

Oswego slightly exceeds national average

Oswego County's composite score of 52.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it modestly in the upper half of U.S. counties. The score reflects solid, above-average livability.

Slightly below New York's benchmark

At 52.3, Oswego County falls just shy of New York's state average of 54.7, ranking it in the state's mid-to-lower tier. The county is a marginal performer within New York's broader landscape.

Strong housing affordability across market

The Cost Score of 75.2 reflects one of the county's strongest assets: a median home value of $139,600 and rent at $943 monthly provide exceptional affordability. These low costs offer significant financial breathing room for most households.

Income and tax pressures create drag

The Income Score of 28.1 and median household income of $68,461 lag regional peers, limiting long-term wealth accumulation. The Tax Score of 29.8, paired with a 2.575% effective tax rate, adds further pressure on household finances.

Ideal for cost-conscious working families

Oswego County works best for families prioritizing low housing costs and modest tax burdens over robust income growth. Its solid national standing and strong affordability make it a practical choice for those seeking economic stability without significant expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax29.8Cost75.2SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk32.5WaterComing Soon
🏛29.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.5
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 Oswego County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Santa Barbara County
California
56.5
Median income: $95,977
Palm Beach County
Florida
56.6
Median income: $81,115
Suffolk County
Massachusetts
56.6
Median income: $92,859
Rockingham County
New Hampshire
56.4
Median income: $113,927
Franklin County
Ohio
56.6
Median income: $73,795

Deep Dives

Oswego County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Oswego County

via TaxByCounty

Oswego's taxes run above the national norm

Oswego County's effective tax rate of 2.575% edges above the national median of 2.690%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Residents pay a median of $3,595 annually on homes worth $139,600—considerably below the national median home value of $281,900.

Oswego ranks near the top statewide

At 2.575%, Oswego's effective rate substantially exceeds New York's state average of 2.046%, ranking it among the higher-tax counties in the state. The median tax bill of $3,595 remains below the state median of $4,709, but the effective rate tells the real story of Oswego's tax burden.

Oswego taxes rival the region's highest rates

Oswego's 2.575% rate nearly matches Onondaga's 2.593%, making it one of the costliest counties in central New York for tax purposes. Only Orleans County's 2.996% exceeds it in the region, while Oneida and Otsego offer substantially lower rates.

What the typical Oswego homeowner pays

The median Oswego County home is worth $139,600, and at the county's 2.575% effective rate, that means an annual property tax of roughly $3,595. Homeowners with mortgages pay $4,012, while those without mortgages pay $2,851.

High rates make assessment accuracy essential

Oswego's elevated tax rate means that assessment errors hit harder than they do in lower-tax counties. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if your home is overvalued is free through your local assessor—and with tax rates this high, the potential savings justify the effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Oswego County

via CostByCounty

Oswego's housing costs stay well-balanced

Oswego County residents spend 16.5% of their income on rent, below the national affordability stress threshold and among New York's healthier markets. With a median household income of $68,461, the county keeps housing accessible despite below-average earnings.

Better than state average on affordability

Oswego County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 17.6%, positioning it as one of New York's more livable housing markets. The median rent of $943 runs $190 below state average, delivering meaningful monthly savings for typical households.

Oswego competes with Western NY's best

Oswego's $943 rent sits between Orleans ($877) and Onondaga ($1,067), while its 16.5% ratio ties with Orleans for the region's best affordability metrics. The county offers a middle-ground option between Western and Central New York's housing markets.

Modest income supports manageable housing

Oswego households earn $68,461 annually and dedicate just 16.5% to rent at $943 per month, leaving room for other necessities. Owner costs of $1,061 remain reasonable for the income level, making both renting and buying sustainable options.

Oswego offers solid Lake Ontario value

Relocating to Oswego puts you in one of New York's most affordable counties with a 16.5% rent-to-income ratio matching Orleans. Compared to pricier options like Orange County (19.9%) or even Ontario (16.9%), Oswego delivers genuine affordability without sacrificing regional amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oswego County

via IncomeByCounty

Oswego trails the national baseline

Oswego County's median household income of $68,461 falls 8.4% short of the national median of $74,755. Households earn approximately $6,294 less annually than the typical American family, placing the county below the national middle.

Below state average, near low end

Oswego lags the state median of $76,433 by $7,972, ranking among New York's lower-income counties in this group. Per capita income of $35,222 trails the state average of $41,133 by $5,911.

Second-lowest in regional comparison

Only Orleans ($63,838) earns less; Oswego surpasses Otsego ($67,086) but falls significantly behind Ontario ($79,814) and Onondaga ($74,740). The county sits in the lower tier of upstate's income distribution.

Modest housing eases affordability

Oswego's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio and $139,600 median home value keep housing costs manageable despite below-average earnings. The favorable housing ratio provides crucial breathing room for family budgets.

Focus on financial fundamentals

Oswego households benefit from affordable housing but must prioritize building emergency reserves and retirement savings on modest incomes. Meet with a financial counselor to create a realistic plan for long-term security and wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Oswego County

via HealthByCounty

Oswego trails national health trends

At 76.2 years, Oswego County residents live 2.7 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 16.5% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the national average of 13.4%, indicating substantial population health challenges.

Among New York's lowest performers

Oswego's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks 1.7 years below New York State's 77.9-year average. At 5.0% uninsured, the county slightly underperforms the state's 5.3% rate, though gaps remain.

Lowest-performing in region

Oswego's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks lowest among regional peers, trailing Ontario (79.8) by 3.6 years and Onondaga (77.7) by 1.5 years. The county's 40 primary care providers per 100,000 is among the lowest in the region, compounding access challenges.

Limited primary care, constrained access

Oswego County struggles with just 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below regional norms—while mental health services lag at 185 per 100,000. The 5.0% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 20 residents lacks coverage in a county already stretched for providers.

Get insured, then seek care strategically

In a county with limited primary care, having insurance helps you access available services and navigate care coordination. Use NY State of Health to enroll, and contact local health departments for referrals to available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oswego County

via RiskByCounty

Oswego: Moderate Hazard Exposure Nationwide

Oswego County scores 67.56 on composite disaster risk, placing it just slightly below the national average in the relatively low risk category. This score reflects moderate but not extreme exposure to multiple hazard types, with flooding representing the most serious threat. Oswego residents face natural disaster risks that are somewhat lighter than the nation overall.

Oswego Below New York's Average Risk

Oswego scores 67.56 compared to New York's state average of 69.42, positioning it slightly below the statewide norm and among the safer New York counties. This below-average profile gives Oswego residents a relative advantage in terms of broad hazard exposure. However, specific localized threats still deserve serious attention and preparation.

Oswego: Mid-Range Risk for Central NY

Oswego (67.56) sits between lower-risk Ontario (63.55) and higher-risk neighbors Oneida (86.32) and Onondaga (91.25), representing a moderate position in central New York's risk spectrum. Oswego's profile is somewhat safer than the densest urban areas nearby. Your county's risk level places it in a comfortable middle ground for the region.

Flooding Dominates the Hazard Profile

Oswego's primary concern is flooding, with a risk score of 82.12 that significantly exceeds all other hazards in the county. Earthquakes (65.30) and hurricanes (60.66) present moderate secondary risks, while tornadoes (43.10) and wildfires (35.69) remain relatively low. Flood preparedness and protection are the clear priority for Oswego households and businesses.

Flood Insurance Protects Your Most Valued Asset

Oswego residents must prioritize flood insurance given the county's 82.12 flood risk score, as standard homeowners coverage excludes flood damage entirely. A comprehensive homeowners policy with solid wind coverage addresses other secondary risks adequately. Contact an insurance agent today to obtain flood insurance quotes—coverage is often affordable and essential for financial protection.

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.