Payette's composite score of 73.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23 points, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. This represents strong livability performance on a national stage.
2 / 5
Slightly above Idaho's state average
With a score of 73.5 compared to Idaho's average of 72.5, Payette County outperforms the state baseline by a small margin. It ranks in the upper tier among Idaho counties for overall livability.
3 / 5
Lowest tax burden in this entire county group
Payette County boasts the best tax score of 90.0 with an effective tax rate of just 0.435%—the lowest among all eight counties. Risk resilience is also strong at 82.9, indicating solid protection from natural and economic shocks.
4 / 5
Income and health metrics show moderate gaps
The county's income score of 26.3 and median household income of $65,723 fall short of some peer counties. Health outcomes at 66.2 are adequate but lag behind stronger-performing Idaho communities.
5 / 5
Best for tax-conscious families seeking value
Payette County appeals to families and retirees who want to minimize taxes while maintaining reasonable housing costs and disaster resilience. It's an excellent choice for those with modest income needs who prioritize keeping more money in their pockets.
Payette's composite score of 73.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23 points, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. This represents strong livability performance on a national stage.
Slightly above Idaho's state average
With a score of 73.5 compared to Idaho's average of 72.5, Payette County outperforms the state baseline by a small margin. It ranks in the upper tier among Idaho counties for overall livability.
Lowest tax burden in this entire county group
Payette County boasts the best tax score of 90.0 with an effective tax rate of just 0.435%—the lowest among all eight counties. Risk resilience is also strong at 82.9, indicating solid protection from natural and economic shocks.
Income and health metrics show moderate gaps
The county's income score of 26.3 and median household income of $65,723 fall short of some peer counties. Health outcomes at 66.2 are adequate but lag behind stronger-performing Idaho communities.
Best for tax-conscious families seeking value
Payette County appeals to families and retirees who want to minimize taxes while maintaining reasonable housing costs and disaster resilience. It's an excellent choice for those with modest income needs who prioritize keeping more money in their pockets.
Score breakdown
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🏛90
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Payette County's effective tax rate of 0.435% ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, significantly below the U.S. median of 0.71%. The median property tax of $1,353 is half the national median of $2,690—saving typical homeowners $1,337 annually.
Second-lowest tax rate in Idaho
Payette County's 0.435% effective rate is the second-lowest among Idaho's 44 counties, 14% below the state average of 0.508%. The median tax of $1,353 is $176 below Idaho's state median of $1,529.
Among the region's most affordable options
Payette County's 0.435% rate is beaten only by Owyhee County (0.481%) in the region, making it exceptionally tax-friendly. It significantly undercuts Madison (0.497%), Minidoka (0.518%), and especially Nez Perce (0.868%).
Median $310,700 home costs $1,353 yearly
On Payette County's median home value of $310,700, homeowners pay approximately $1,353 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes average $1,444; without, they average $1,098.
Review assessment to protect your savings
Payette County homeowners enjoy some of Idaho's lowest tax rates, but should still verify property assessments are fair and accurate. An assessment appeal, if warranted, could provide additional relief.
Payette County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio beats the national standard, with renters spending $874 monthly against a median household income of $65,723. This favorable ratio means Payette households spend significantly less of their income on rent than many American peers.
Slightly better than Idaho average
Payette County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio modestly outperforms Idaho's state average of 16.8%, with rents of $874 running $45 below the state median. This balanced position reflects Payette's appeal as an affordable yet reasonably accessible Idaho county.
Moderate rents, premium home values
Payette's $874 rent sits between the regional lows (Owyhee at $771) and highs (Oneida at $1,009), offering middle-ground affordability. Yet median home values of $310,700 rank among the region's priciest, requiring stronger down payment capacity from buyers.
Renter-friendly, buyer-challenging
Renters spend $874 monthly while homeowners pay $1,087, with median home values at $310,700. The 16.0% rent-to-income ratio favors renters, but the $1,087 monthly owner cost reflects elevated home prices relative to the $65,723 median income.
Payette suits flexible renters
Payette County offers good affordability for renters seeking stable costs and reasonable income flexibility. If you're considering homeownership, budget carefully—median home values demand substantial income or down payment reserves to remain comfortable.
Payette County's median household income of $65,723 sits 12% below the national median of $74,755. The county tracks closely to Idaho's state average, reflecting a typical rural-urban mixed economy.
Right at Idaho's state average
At $65,723, Payette nearly matches Idaho's state average of $65,770, ranking in the middle of Idaho's 44 counties. The county represents a typical rural Idaho income profile.
Solidly middle of regional range
Payette's $65,723 income falls between Owyhee County's $59,773 and Nez Perce County's $71,466, positioning it as middle-ground in west-central Idaho. The county balances agricultural and small-town economic bases.
Manageable housing costs at 16.0%
Payette households spend 16% of income on rent, slightly above the ideal 15% but still sustainable. A median home value of $310,700 is attainable for households with two earners at median income.
Build wealth through consistent savings
Payette County families earning $65,723 can allocate $10,000–15,000 annually to savings and retirement accounts. Employer 401(k) matching and IRA contributions provide tax-advantaged pathways to long-term wealth.
At 77.2 years, Payette County's life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 77.5 years. With 20.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces wellness challenges slightly above the national baseline.
Payette slightly below Idaho's health average
Payette County's 77.2-year life expectancy trails Idaho's state average of 77.5 years by 0.3 years. At 11.8% uninsured, the county essentially mirrors the state average of 11.7%, suggesting typical coverage patterns.
Mid-range performance in regional context
Payette County's 77.2-year life expectancy falls between Minidoka (77.0 years) and Oneida (78.6 years), positioning it squarely in the regional middle. Primary care access at 38 per 100K is moderate, while mental health providers at 147 per 100K offer reasonable coverage.
Moderate access, near-average uninsured rate
Payette County's 11.8% uninsured rate mirrors Idaho's state average, with 38 primary care providers and 147 mental health providers per 100K available. Provider availability is neither robust nor severely constrained, requiring residents to navigate typical access challenges.
Payette: check your health insurance status
At 11.8% uninsured, Payette County tracks with the state average, but gaps still affect thousands of residents. Visit healthcare.gov to confirm coverage and explore options that support your family's health needs.
Payette County's composite risk score of 17.11 falls well below the national average and earns a "Very Low" overall rating. This favorable position means residents face fewer catastrophic natural disaster threats than most American communities.
Well below Idaho's risk average
Payette County's score of 17.11 sits substantially beneath Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of the state's safer counties. This advantage reflects moderate exposure across most hazard categories, with wildfire representing the primary concern.
Payette ranks among regional safest
At 17.11, Payette County is nearly as low-risk as Power County (16.92) and significantly safer than nearby Madison County (58.62) and Owyhee County (44.12). The county's balanced safety profile makes it one of Western Idaho's most secure regions.
Wildfires create seasonal threat
Payette County's wildfire risk of 89.98 represents the primary natural disaster concern, as surrounding forests and grasslands become increasingly flammable during dry summer months. Earthquake risk at 55.85 poses a secondary threat, though moderate compared to other Idaho counties.
Ensure wildfire and earthquake coverage
Homeowners in Payette County should confirm their standard homeowners policy covers wildfire damage and create defensible space by removing dead vegetation and trees within 100 feet of structures. Given the moderate earthquake risk of 55.85, adding earthquake insurance through a separate policy provides important protection against potential seismic damage.