CountyScore

Pierce County

Washington · WA

#38 in Washington
57.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Pierce County, Washington

Pierce County rises above national median

Pierce County's composite score of 57.7 clears the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of American counties. This 15% advantage indicates solid but not exceptional livability when measured nationally.

Below Washington's state average

Pierce County scores 57.7, falling below Washington's state average of 68.1 and ranking in the middle tier of the state's counties. The gap reflects the tradeoffs that accompany the region's economic vitality and density.

Higher incomes drive economic opportunity

Pierce County's income score of 46.5 reflects a median household income of $96,632, meaningfully above both state and national norms. The county's tax score of 75.8 remains competitive, supporting robust economic activity and career advancement.

Housing affordability creates tension

Pierce County's most significant constraint is its cost score of 46.9, with median home values of $484,400 and gross rent at $1,722/month—among the state's highest. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain limited, leaving gaps in the livability assessment.

Best for income-focused professionals

Pierce County suits educated professionals and dual-income families prioritizing career growth and earning potential over affordability. Those anchored to the Seattle-Tacoma metro for work will find strong economic foundations here, despite premium housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.8Cost46.9SafetyComing SoonHealth75SchoolsComing SoonIncome46.5Risk1.5WaterComing Soon
🏛75.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼46.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.5
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 Pierce County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Erie County
New York
57.3
Median income: $71,175
Caldwell County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $68,503
Val Verde County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $59,673
Wharton County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $66,100
Taylor County
Texas
57.2
Median income: $66,406

Deep Dives

Pierce County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pierce County

via TaxByCounty

Pierce County's rates rank high

Pierce County's effective tax rate of 0.940% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.750%, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $4,555 is 69% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest in Washington state

Pierce County's 0.940% effective rate is second only to Snohomish County among Washington's counties, well above the state average of 0.761%. The median property tax of $4,555 is the highest in the state.

Highest taxes in Puget Sound region

Pierce County's 0.940% rate far exceeds neighboring Pacific County (0.821%) and Skamania County (0.715%), reflecting the Seattle metro area's robust tax base. Only Snohomish County rivals Pierce's tax burden in the region.

Pay $4,555 on median home

Pierce County's median home value of $484,400 generates approximately $4,555 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.940% rate. Both mortgaged and non-mortgaged homeowners face similar annual obligations around $4,500–$4,600.

Assessment appeals save real money

Many Pierce County homeowners overpay due to inflated assessments, and formal appeals can reduce your tax burden significantly. Given the high median tax here, even a 5% reduction yields $225+ in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pierce County

via CostByCounty

Pierce County's Premium Affordability Test

Pierce County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% exceeds the national average by 5 percentage points, signaling a tighter housing squeeze for renters. Though median household income of $96,632 ranks 29% above the national average, rent of $1,722/month still consumes a larger share of earnings than most American counties.

Above State Average Affordability Strain

Pierce County's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Washington's 18.8% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties despite strong incomes. Median rent of $1,722/month exceeds the state median by $520, reflecting the Puget Sound region's competitive housing market.

Pierce's High-Income, High-Cost Reality

Pierce County residents earn substantially more than Pacific County ($96,632 vs. $62,350), yet pay 79% more in rent ($1,722 vs. $962). Only Snohomish County exceeds Pierce's rent costs and affordability strain, making both Puget Sound counties the state's priciest rental markets.

Income Meets Housing Reality

Pierce County renters dedicate 21.4% of income to rent, while homeowners spend 24.3% on mortgage and owner costs—both elevated for the state. The median home value of $484,400 demands strong incomes to purchase, though the county's $96,632 median household income provides more capacity than most.

Pierce: Premium Location, Premium Cost

Pierce County offers urban and suburban amenities with strong job markets, but anticipate higher housing costs than most Washington counties. If you're relocating, compare Pierce's rent and affordability strain against more rural or eastern Washington options like Pend Oreille or Skamania to assess your budget priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pierce County

via IncomeByCounty

Pierce County ranks well nationally

Pierce County's median household income of $96,632 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 29.2%, placing the county among America's top 25% of counties by income. The robust earnings reflect Pierce's urban density, diverse employment, and proximity to Tacoma.

Second-highest income in Washington

Pierce County ranks 2nd among Washington's 39 counties by median household income, surpassed only by Snohomish County's $107,982. The $20,269 advantage over the state average of $76,363 demonstrates the county's economic strength and wage competitiveness.

Leads region in household earnings

Pierce County's $96,632 median income outpaces all neighboring counties, including Snohomish ($107,982), Skagit ($85,474), Skamania ($90,085), and Pacific ($62,350). Only Snohomish County edges ahead, reflecting the Puget Sound's concentration of high-wage jobs.

Higher income, higher housing costs

Pierce County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% remains within affordability limits, though it's the highest among the eight counties studied. The median home value of $484,400 represents 5 years of median income—requiring substantial down payments and mortgage commitments.

Leverage high income strategically

Pierce County residents earning the median $96,632 should capitalize on above-average income by maximizing retirement contributions and building investment portfolios. With housing costs consuming a fifth of income, strategic saving can accelerate wealth accumulation and long-term financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pierce County

via HealthByCounty

Pierce County near national health standards

At 77.4 years, Pierce County's life expectancy sits just 1.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.5 years. With 16.6% reporting poor or fair health—slightly below the national rate of 17.9%—this Puget Sound region shows stronger health outcomes than many peers.

Slightly below state average but solid regionally

Pierce County's 77.4-year life expectancy trails Washington's 78.1-year average by just 0.7 years, placing it in the middle of statewide rankings. As Washington's second-largest county, Pierce's health profile reflects the diversity of a major urban-suburban region anchored by Tacoma.

Performs well against surrounding counties

Pierce's health metrics are competitive with neighbors King and Thurston counties, though both rank slightly higher. With 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Pierce offers solid access compared to rural western Washington peers.

Strong insurance coverage, good provider density

Only 6.6% of Pierce County residents lack health insurance—below the state average of 9%—and the county boasts 604 mental health providers per 100,000, well above the state norm. This combination means most residents can access both physical and behavioral health services.

Verify your coverage works for you

Even with high coverage rates, reviewing your plan ensures you're prepared for what healthcare actually costs. Check your policy details at Healthcare.gov or call your insurance provider to understand your deductible and out-of-pocket limits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pierce County

via RiskByCounty

Pierce County faces relatively high risks

Pierce County scores 98.54 on the composite risk scale, far exceeding Washington's state average of 70.01 and placing it in the relatively high risk category nationally. This means Pierce residents face more frequent and severe natural hazards than most American counties. The county's dense population and geography create compounded disaster exposure across multiple hazard types.

Second-highest disaster risk in Washington

Pierce County ranks second statewide for overall disaster risk, trailing only Snohomish County (97.87) and ahead of Pacific County (92.75). Pierce's highest scores are earthquake (99.55), flood (96.22), and wildfire (76.78), reflecting major vulnerabilities across three critical hazard types. Only two Washington counties score above 95, making Pierce's profile exceptionally risky by state standards.

Riskiest in the greater Puget Sound

Pierce County's 98.54 score is slightly higher than neighboring Snohomish County (97.87) and substantially higher than Thurston County (approximately 60-65 range). Both Pierce and Snohomish share similar earthquake (99+ range) and flood (95+) profiles due to their Puget Sound proximity and Cascadia Subduction Zone exposure. Pierce's tornado risk (41.22) is also higher than Thurston's, reflecting broader storm exposure in the southern Sound region.

Earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes converge

Earthquake risk dominates at 99.55—Pierce County sits directly above the Cascadia Subduction Zone, making a major seismic event the county's most catastrophic potential threat. Flood risk (96.22) affects river valleys and low-lying urban areas, while tornado risk (41.22) is surprisingly significant for a western Washington county, exceeding many Midwest communities. Together, these three hazards create a complex insurance and preparedness challenge for homeowners.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy required

Pierce County homeowners must secure earthquake insurance, which is separate from standard homeowners policies, and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if in a mapped flood zone. Review your property's location relative to tsunami hazard zones and evacuation routes—Mount Rainier's lahars also threaten some communities in the county's eastern regions. Consider a home safety audit addressing seismic bracing, flood barriers, and storm-resistant upgrades.

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.