CountyScore

Otsego County

New York · NY

#6 in New York
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Otsego County, New York

Otsego leads the national comparison

Otsego County scores 62.4 out of 100, placing it well above the national median of 50.0 and in the top quartile of U.S. counties. The score reflects strong livability across measured dimensions.

Top performer among New York counties

At 62.4, Otsego County substantially outperforms New York's state average of 54.7, ranking it among the state's highest-scoring counties. The 7.7-point advantage signals meaningful livability strengths versus regional peers.

Tax efficiency leads the pack

The Tax Score of 55.7—highest in this county set—is backed by a 1.655% effective tax rate, the lowest among all eight counties. Combined with a Cost Score of 76.3 (median home value $175,900, rent $942 monthly), Otsego delivers exceptional affordability and tax relief.

Income growth remains modest

The Income Score of 27.2 and median household income of $67,086 represent the county's primary weakness, trailing several peers. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a fully rounded livability assessment.

Premier choice for tax-conscious families

Otsego County is ideal for families and retirees seeking maximum tax efficiency and low housing costs without premium income requirements. Its top-tier national ranking and state-leading tax score make it the most livable option in this county set for those prioritizing financial prudence.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.7Cost76.3SafetyComing SoonHealth78.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.2Risk24.2WaterComing Soon
🏛55.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.2
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

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Otsego County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
63.3
Median income: $89,901
Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Sumner County
Kansas
63.3
Median income: $60,348
Mahoning County
Ohio
63.3
Median income: $55,576

Deep Dives

Otsego County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Otsego County

via TaxByCounty

Otsego offers New York's most affordable tax burden

Otsego County's effective tax rate of 1.655% ranks among the lowest in the nation, falling well below the national median of 2.690%. With a median home value of $175,900 and annual taxes of just $2,911, Otsego residents enjoy one of the most tax-friendly environments in America.

Otsego has the lowest rate in New York

At 1.655%, Otsego County has New York's most favorable effective tax rate, running 19% below the state average of 2.046%. The median tax bill of $2,911 is the lowest among comparable upstate counties, making it a haven for tax-conscious homeowners.

Otsego significantly undercuts surrounding counties

Otsego's 1.655% rate stands dramatically below Oneida's 2.131%, Oswego's 2.575%, and Onondaga's 2.593%, positioning it as the region's clear tax leader. At $2,911 median annual taxes, Otsego residents pay the least among all neighboring counties.

What the typical Otsego homeowner pays

The median Otsego County home is worth $175,900, and at the county's 1.655% effective rate, homeowners pay approximately $2,911 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay $3,286 annually, while homeowners without mortgages pay $2,534.

Even low-tax counties benefit from appeal checks

While Otsego's rates are among the nation's friendliest, overassessments still happen and can eliminate your tax advantage. Contact your local assessor about reviewing your assessment—even in a low-tax county, correcting an inflated valuation preserves your savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Otsego County

via CostByCounty

Otsego keeps housing costs in check

Otsego County residents spend 16.9% of their income on rent, just below the national affordability threshold and among New York's more livable options. Despite a median household income of $67,086—below national average—the county's $942 median rent creates a balanced housing equation.

Otsego outperforms New York housing norms

Otsego County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 17.6%, placing it among New York's more affordable major housing markets. The median rent of $942 sits $191 below state average, reflecting genuine cost-of-living advantages in the Central Catskills.

Otsego competes in Central NY's value tier

Otsego's $942 rent ranks among the lowest in the region, trailing only Orleans ($877) while beating Ontario ($1,126) and Onondaga ($1,067). The 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Oneida (16.0%) and Ontario (16.9%), marking Otsego as a peer in the affordability stakes.

Lower wages offset by lower housing costs

Otsego households earn $67,086 annually—below state medians—but pay just $942 in rent, creating a sustainable 16.9% housing burden. Owner costs of $989 per month and median home values under $176,000 keep homeownership accessible across income levels.

Otsego delivers rural affordability with culture

For relocators seeking lower costs in a college-town setting, Otsego County's 16.9% rent ratio and $942 median rent offer genuine savings. Compare it to pricier downstate options like Orange (19.9%) or Putnam (17.2%) to see how Central Catskills living stretches your housing budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Otsego County

via IncomeByCounty

Otsego earnings trail the nation

Otsego County's median household income of $67,086 falls 10.3% below the national median of $74,755. Households earn roughly $7,669 less annually than typical American families, placing Otsego in the lower-earning category nationally.

Below New York's income average

Otsego lags the state median of $76,433 by $9,347, ranking near the bottom of these eight counties. The per capita income of $36,506 trails the state average of $41,133 by $4,627.

Third-lowest locally

Only Orleans and Oswego earn less than Otsego; the county significantly trails Ontario ($79,814) and Onondaga ($74,740). Otsego sits firmly in the region's lower-income tier.

Affordable housing provides stability

Otsego's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio and $175,900 median home value make housing accessible despite modest earnings. The favorable housing burden helps households stretch limited incomes further.

Build steady progress deliberately

Otsego residents should leverage affordable housing to prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions despite lower earnings. Work with a community financial advisor to develop patient, achievable wealth-building strategies suited to your income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Otsego County

via HealthByCounty

Otsego matches national life expectancy

At 77.7 years, Otsego County's life expectancy sits just 1.2 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.5% poor or fair health rate slightly exceeds the national average of 13.4%, suggesting moderate population health.

Slightly below New York average

Otsego's 77.7-year life expectancy falls 0.2 years short of New York State's 77.9-year average. At 5.0% uninsured, the county performs better than the state's 5.3% rate.

Middle performer regionally

Otsego's 77.7-year life expectancy matches Onondaga but trails Ontario (79.8) by 2.1 years and leads Oneida (76.3) by 1.4 years. With 138 primary care providers per 100,000, Otsego leads the region in primary care density.

Strong primary care, solid mental health

Otsego County excels with 138 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in its region—and 228 mental health providers per 100,000. Just 5.0% of residents lack insurance, indicating good coverage baseline.

Maintain coverage in a well-resourced county

With strong healthcare infrastructure in place, keeping your coverage active ensures you can fully access Otsego's primary and mental health services. Review your plan annually on NY State of Health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Otsego County

via RiskByCounty

Otsego: Moderate Risk by National Measures

Otsego County scores 75.83 on composite disaster risk, placing it above the national median in the relatively low risk category. This score reflects meaningful but not extreme exposure to multiple hazard types, with flooding creating the most significant threat. Otsego residents face natural disaster risks comparable to or slightly above the American average.

Otsego Above New York's Average Risk

Otsego scores 75.83 compared to New York's state average of 69.42, positioning it above the statewide norm and among the mid-to-higher-risk New York counties. This above-average profile reflects the county's particular vulnerability to flooding and earthquake exposure. Otsego residents should consider their risk profile more serious than most state peers.

Otsego: Higher Risk Than Most Peers

Otsego (75.83) trails only the highest-risk central New York counties of Oneida (86.32) and Onondaga (91.25), outpacing Ontario (63.55), Oswego (67.56), and most other regional neighbors. Otsego's profile places it among the higher-risk areas in its immediate region. Your county faces more serious hazard exposure than most surrounding communities.

Flooding and Earthquake Hazards Stand Out

Otsego's two primary threats are flooding (85.85) and tornadoes (46.28), with significant earthquake risk (47.30) also warranting attention. Flooding represents the most frequent and damaging hazard, while earthquakes create a less common but potentially serious secondary threat. Both flooding and seismic activity deserve serious preparation and risk reduction focus.

Flood and Earthquake Coverage Both Important

Otsego residents should prioritize flood insurance given the 85.85 flood risk score and the reality that standard homeowners policies exclude all water damage. Earthquake insurance should also be evaluated given Otsego's 47.30 seismic risk score. Work with an insurance professional to ensure comprehensive protection against both of these significant hazard types.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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