Pasco County

Florida · FL

#41 in Florida
62.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Pasco County, Florida

Pasco Ranks Solidly Above National Average

Pasco County's composite score of 67.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile. This positions Pasco among the more livable counties nationally.

Competitive with Florida's Best Counties

With a score of 67.0, Pasco performs nearly at the Florida state average of 69.4, just 2.4 points below. The county ranks in the upper portion of Florida's livability standings.

Affordability Champion with Low Taxes

Pasco's standout feature is its cost score of 66.5, the highest among these eight counties, with median rents of just $1,372 and home values averaging $265,800. Adding to this, the tax score of 80.8 and effective rate of 0.763% make it exceptionally affordable overall.

Income Levels and Critical Data Gaps

The income score of 27.4 reflects lower median household earnings at $67,384, below peers in the region. Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality dimensions remain unavailable, creating gaps in the livability narrative.

Perfect for Cost-Conscious Families

Pasco County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and low tax burdens over high incomes. The strong affordability profile makes it an attractive choice for those stretching modest budgets while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.8Cost66.5SafetyComing SoonHealth69.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.4Risk4WaterComing Soon
🏛80.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠66.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼27.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
69.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Pasco County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pasco County

via TaxByCounty

Pasco taxes slightly above national average

Pasco County's 0.763% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.71%, though the difference is modest. The median property tax of $2,028 runs well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to more affordable median homes at $265,800.

Competitive rate among Florida counties

Pasco's 0.763% rate sits slightly above the Florida state average of 0.731%, making it a moderate-tax county statewide. The median annual tax of $2,028 exceeds the state median of $1,885 by 8%.

Moderate taxes, lower than Osceola

Pasco's effective rate of 0.763% trails Osceola County (0.786%) but runs slightly above Pinellas (0.729%) and Polk (0.737%). It's a solid middle option for Tampa Bay area homeowners.

About $2,028 yearly on median property

On Pasco's median home value of $265,800, homeowners pay approximately $2,028 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, costs rise to $2,513 once full assessment accounting applies.

Review your assessment for errors

Even in moderate-tax counties like Pasco, assessment errors happen—and overvalued properties are common. Filing an appeal with the property appraiser costs nothing and can reveal hundreds in annual savings.

Cost of Living in Pasco County

via CostByCounty

Pasco offers middle-ground affordability

Pasco County renters spend 24.4% of income on rent, sitting comfortably below national affordability stress levels and benefiting from a balanced housing market. Median household income of $67,384 falls slightly below the national average, yet housing costs remain manageable relative to regional peers.

Better than state average, barely

Pasco's rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% slightly exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, though median rent of $1,372 sits meaningfully above the state's $1,233 baseline. The county offers a middle path within Florida's diverse housing landscape.

Tampa Bay's most affordable anchor

Pasco renters pay $1,372 monthly—the lowest among Pinellas ($1,525) and Osceola ($1,651) in the central Florida region, yet higher than inland Polk at $1,272. For families seeking Tampa Bay proximity without premium pricing, Pasco delivers solid value.

Housing claims one-quarter of income

Renters average $1,372 monthly while homeowners pay $1,100, totaling roughly 24% of the $67,384 median household income. This leaves Pasco households approximately $4,200 monthly for utilities, food, transportation, and savings.

Smart choice for Tampa Bay access

Relocating to Pasco means allocating 24% of income to rent—a solid balance between affordability and urban proximity. If you work in the Tampa Bay area but want to avoid premium coastal prices, Pasco offers measurable savings versus Pinellas and Osceola.

Income & Jobs in Pasco County

via IncomeByCounty

Pasco near national median income level

Pasco County's median household income of $67,384 sits just 10% below the national median of $74,755. This positions the county solidly in the middle range of U.S. counties, supported by a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

Slightly below Florida's average income

At $67,384, Pasco falls about $2,000 short of Florida's state average of $65,468, placing it in the upper-middle tier statewide. The county's per capita income of $37,757 also exceeds the state average by $2,000, showing relatively balanced household earnings.

Middle ground between wealthy coasts

Pasco County's $67,384 income positions it between Polk County ($63,644) to the south and Pinellas County ($70,293) to the west. This central location in Tampa Bay's broader metro area supports moderate, stable earnings across diverse industries.

Housing very affordable by state standards

Pasco County boasts Florida's best housing affordability metric with a rent-to-income ratio of just 24.4%, well below the 28% threshold. Median home values of $265,800 are the most attainable among surveyed counties, making homeownership achievable for typical households.

Maximize savings with affordable housing

Pasco's low housing costs free up $200-400 monthly per household compared to high-cost counties, capital that can flow directly into retirement and investment accounts. Even modest monthly investments of $300-500 can grow to substantial wealth over 20-30 years.

Health in Pasco County

via HealthByCounty

Pasco holds steady above national average

At 76.2 years, Pasco County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a slim margin, reflecting stable health outcomes. With only 15.6% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 18%—Pasco residents fare better than many American counties despite being a growing, diverse community.

Solid performer in Florida's rankings

Pasco's 76.2-year life expectancy edges above Florida's 75.8-year average, placing the county in the middle tier of state health outcomes. The county's modest advantage reflects a younger population and steady primary care investment compared to rural Florida regions.

Better than Polk, behind Pinellas

Pasco's 76.2-year life expectancy surpasses Polk County's 76.1 years, but lags behind nearby Pinellas County's 77.6 years. The 1.4-year gap with Pinellas reflects different provider densities and demographic profiles across the Tampa Bay region.

Tight primary care, low uninsured rate

Pasco's 12.3% uninsured rate ranks among Florida's best, reflecting strong employer coverage and program uptake. However, 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall short of demand, and 113 mental health providers per 100,000 suggest limited access to behavioral care for growing communities.

Maintain your coverage, close gaps

Pasco's uninsured rate is relatively low, but check your coverage annually. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment or call 1-800-318-2596 to ensure your plan still meets your family's evolving healthcare needs.

Disaster Risk in Pasco County

via RiskByCounty

Pasco County faces high national risk

Pasco County's composite risk score of 95.96 ranks it among the highest-risk counties in the United States, rated Relatively High. Tornado risk of 98.41 leads the county's threats, followed by hurricane exposure at 98.12 and flood risk at 95.39.

Top-tier risk within Florida

At 95.96, Pasco County ranks among Florida's most disaster-prone communities, sitting 20.22 points above the state average of 75.74. The county trails only the most coastal counties in overall risk exposure.

Matches coastal peers in severity

Pasco's 95.96 score places it alongside Polk County (96.53) as inland Florida's riskiest communities, and closely mirrors coastal Pinellas County (98.22). The county faces measurably higher exposure than inland Putnam County (79.74) but slightly lower than hyperexposed Palm Beach and Sarasota.

Tornadoes and hurricanes reign

Pasco's tornado risk of 98.41 is among Florida's highest, reflecting its position in the state's severe weather corridor; hurricane exposure at 98.12 amplifies storm season concerns. Wildfire risk at 95.39 and flood risk at 95.39 round out a hazard profile demanding year-round vigilance.

Prepare for violent wind events

Pasco homeowners face exceptional tornado and hurricane threats, making wind damage coverage essential—verify your policy covers hail and straight-line winds. Safe rooms or storm shelters are prudent investments; additionally, flood insurance is vital given the county's drainage challenges and storm surge vulnerability.

ByCounty Network

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