CountyScore

Palm Beach County

Florida · FL

#65 in Florida
56.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Palm Beach County, Florida

Palm Beach Outperforms National Livability Standard

Palm Beach County scores 59.5 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and landing in the 59th percentile. This strong showing reflects a county where livability factors align well across multiple dimensions.

Mid-Range Performance Statewide

At 59.5, Palm Beach falls below Florida's average of 69.4, placing it in the middle-lower tier of the state's counties. A 9.9-point deficit suggests the county faces tradeoffs compared to top-performing Florida peers.

Strong Incomes and Favorable Taxes

Palm Beach shines with an income score of 36.3 and median household earnings of $81,115, well above state medians. The county also maintains competitive tax efficiency with a score of 77.4 and an effective rate of 0.884%.

Housing Affordability and Incomplete Data

The cost score of 51.8 reflects Palm Beach's higher housing market, with median home values of $407,300 and rents at $1,818 monthly. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data remain unavailable, preventing a fuller livability picture.

Ideal for Affluent Professionals Seeking Stability

Palm Beach appeals to higher-earning households comfortable with premium housing costs in exchange for tax efficiency and strong income levels. The county's data gaps on schools and safety mean families should supplement this profile with local research before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.4Cost51.8SafetyComing SoonHealth67.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.3Risk0.8WaterComing Soon
🏛77.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠51.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.8
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 Palm Beach County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Suffolk County
Massachusetts
56.6
Median income: $92,859
Franklin County
Ohio
56.6
Median income: $73,795
Todd County
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56.6
Median income: $39,148
Johnson County
Texas
56.6
Median income: $81,826
Parker County
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56.6
Median income: $102,099

Deep Dives

Palm Beach County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Palm Beach County

via TaxByCounty

Palm Beach taxes well above national norm

At 0.884%, Palm Beach County's effective tax rate ranks among the highest in the nation, significantly exceeding the national median of 0.71%. The median property tax of $3,600 tops the national median of $2,690 by 34%, reflecting both high home values ($407,300) and a punchy tax rate.

Florida's most expensive county to own

Palm Beach's 0.884% effective rate is the highest in Florida, nearly 21% above the state average of 0.731%. The median annual tax of $3,600 is nearly double the statewide median of $1,885.

Far pricier than Broward and Miami-Dade

Palm Beach County's tax burden is substantially steeper than most South Florida peers, driven by a combination of high assessments and aggressive millage rates. Homeowners here pay a premium for the county's exclusive real estate market.

Plan for $3,600 annually on median home

The median Palm Beach home valued at $407,300 carries an annual property tax bill of approximately $3,600. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $3,871 when additional assessments are factored in.

Appeals can uncover significant savings

In high-value markets like Palm Beach, even small percentage reductions in assessed value translate to substantial tax savings. Homeowners should review their property appraiser's assessment and consider filing an appeal if comparable sales suggest overvaluation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Palm Beach County

via CostByCounty

Palm Beach housing costs bite 27% of income

Palm Beach County renters dedicate 26.9% of their income to rent, exceeding the national stress threshold for housing affordability. Despite a median household income of $81,115—well above the national average of $74,755—residents still feel significant affordability pressure from median rents of $1,818 monthly.

Among Florida's costliest counties

Palm Beach's rent-to-income ratio of 26.9% significantly outpaces Florida's state average of 22.5%, making it one of the least affordable counties in the state. Median rent of $1,818 exceeds the state average by $585, reflecting the county's high-demand coastal premium.

Sarasota rivals it; Osceola trails behind

Palm Beach renters pay $1,818 monthly, just $103 more than neighboring Sarasota County, though Sarasota has slightly better affordability at 25.5% of income. Both counties represent the premium end of Florida's housing market compared to inland peers like Polk at $1,272.

Renters and owners face twin challenges

Median rent reaches $1,818 while homeowners pay $1,512 monthly, combining for nearly 28% of the $81,115 median household income. The county's median home value of $407,300 means ownership requires substantial down payment capital and ongoing affordability discipline.

Premium location, premium prices—plan accordingly

Moving to Palm Beach means budgeting 27% of income for rent alone—the second-highest burden among surveyed counties. If you prioritize coastal living and strong incomes, the trade-off may be worth it; for budget-conscious relocators, inland alternatives offer 4–9 percentage points of relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Palm Beach County

via IncomeByCounty

Palm Beach punches above national average

Palm Beach County's median household income of $81,115 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by roughly 8.5%. This strong performance reflects the county's mix of high-income retirees, professional services, and affluent coastal communities.

Second-highest income county in Florida

At $81,115, Palm Beach ranks among Florida's top earners, well ahead of the state average of $65,468—a $15,600 gap. Only a handful of Florida counties exceed this income level, positioning Palm Beach as a wealth center in the state.

Coastal wealth outpaces inland counties

Palm Beach's $81,115 income significantly exceeds nearby Osceola ($68,711) and Polk ($63,644), reflecting its status as Florida's premier coastal affluence zone. Its per capita income of $50,998 also leads regional peers, nearly double Polk County's per capita figure.

Strong income supports high home values

With a rent-to-income ratio of 26.9%, Palm Beach County remains affordable by high-cost standards, though median home values of $407,300 still demand substantial household resources. Higher median income means more residents can comfortably carry mortgages and maintain the lifestyle in Florida's premium coastal market.

Leverage high income for wealth acceleration

Palm Beach County's $81,000+ median income creates ideal conditions for aggressive wealth building through diversified investments. Residents should consider maxing 401(k) contributions, exploring real estate investment, and working with financial advisors to optimize tax-advantaged strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Palm Beach County

via HealthByCounty

Palm Beach leads the nation in longevity

Palm Beach County residents live to 80.7 years on average, nearly 4.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it among America's healthiest counties. Only 17.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, reflecting strong healthcare infrastructure and affluent communities.

Florida's longevity leader

Palm Beach's 80.7-year life expectancy stands nearly 5 years above Florida's 75.8-year average, making it the state's gold standard for health outcomes. This performance reflects the county's concentration of medical specialists, Medicare-age retirees, and higher household income levels.

Sarasota matches Palm Beach's excellence

Palm Beach's 80.7-year life expectancy ties with neighboring Sarasota County, making both the state's longest-living communities. Together, they demonstrate how concentrated wealth and established healthcare systems support exceptional health outcomes in Florida's coastal counties.

Excellent access masks coverage challenges

Palm Beach boasts 80 primary care providers and 292 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Florida's highest densities—yet 16.3% of residents remain uninsured, above the state average of 14.4%. This gap suggests affordability barriers despite abundant medical infrastructure.

Close coverage gaps for your family

Even in affluent Palm Beach, one in six residents lacks insurance. Explore marketplace plans, Medicaid expansion programs, and subsidies at Healthcare.gov, or call 211 Palm Beach for local enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Palm Beach County

via RiskByCounty

Palm Beach ranks among America's riskiest

Palm Beach County's composite risk score of 99.20 places it in the highest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, rating Relatively High. The county faces exceptional hurricane risk at 99.87 and flood risk at 98.92, reflecting its coastal geography and vulnerability to Atlantic storms.

Second-highest risk in Florida

Palm Beach's 99.20 score ranks it near the top statewide, exceeded only by counties with similar coastal exposure. At 23.46 points above Florida's average of 75.74, the county faces substantially greater disaster risk than most state communities.

Coastal chain of extreme risk

Palm Beach's 99.20 score aligns closely with Sarasota County (98.16) and Pinellas County (98.22) as part of Florida's most vulnerable coastal belt. Inland Polk County (96.53) and Pasco County (95.96) show measurably lower exposure, underscoring the coast's disproportionate hazard concentration.

Hurricanes and flooding are existential

With hurricane risk at 99.87 and flood risk at 98.92, Palm Beach faces nearly certain exposure to major Atlantic storms and their coastal surge impacts. Wildfire risk of 95.32 and tornado risk of 93.80 compound concerns, though hurricane and flood preparedness must be the priority.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Palm Beach homeowners must carry separate flood insurance; federal law requires it for mortgaged properties in high-risk zones, and claims show why. Elevating utilities, reinforcing roof attachments, and installing impact-resistant windows are critical investments for withstanding the region's frequent Atlantic hurricanes.

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.