CountyScore

Pinellas County

Florida · FL

#55 in Florida
60.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Pinellas County, Florida

Pinellas Exceeds National Livability Median

Pinellas County's composite score of 65.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. This strong performance reflects a county with above-average livability conditions across tracked dimensions.

Near-Average Performance in Florida

At 65.4, Pinellas sits just 4.0 points below Florida's state average of 69.4, maintaining upper-middle performance among state counties. The county occupies a solid position in Florida's livability rankings.

Lowest Tax Burden in This Group

Pinellas boasts the highest tax score of 81.8 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.729% among these eight counties. The cost score of 62.1 offers balanced housing affordability, with median rents at $1,525 and home values near $319,000.

Modest Income Levels and Limited Data

The income score of 29.3 reflects median household earnings of $70,293, below several neighboring counties in this comparison. Key dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality lack available data, limiting a comprehensive assessment.

Suited for Tax-Savvy Retirees

Pinellas appeals to retirees and income-flexible residents seeking minimal tax burden and reasonable housing costs. While the county excels in affordability, those prioritizing school quality or comprehensive safety data should conduct additional local research.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.8Cost62.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.3Risk1.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.8
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 Pinellas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
New York
60.8
Median income: $72,342
Wise County
Texas
60.8
Median income: $89,897
Zavala County
Texas
60.8
Median income: $41,887
Imperial County
California
60.7
Median income: $56,393
Fulton County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $58,617

Deep Dives

Pinellas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pinellas County

via TaxByCounty

Pinellas taxes in line with national median

Pinellas County's 0.729% effective tax rate matches the national median almost exactly at 0.71%, making it one of Florida's most tax-neutral counties nationally. The median property tax of $2,324 sits just below the national median of $2,690, despite higher median home values at $319,000.

Below-average rate for Florida

Pinellas's 0.729% effective rate essentially matches Florida's 0.731% state average, positioning it as a middle-of-the-pack county statewide. The median annual tax of $2,324 exceeds the state median of $1,885 by 23%.

Competitive with Polk, Pasco, Osceola

Pinellas's 0.729% rate is the lowest among major Tampa Bay area competitors, trailing Pasco (0.763%) and Osceola (0.786%). It's an attractive option for retirees and homeowners seeking moderate tax burden.

Approximately $2,324 in annual taxes

On the median Pinellas home value of $319,000, homeowners owe roughly $2,324 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the annual bill climbs to $2,657.

Assessment appeals still worth pursuing

Even counties with moderate rates benefit from assessment accuracy checks—overvaluation still occurs in Pinellas despite competitive millage rates. A simple appeal filing could secure measurable annual savings with no cost to you.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pinellas County

via CostByCounty

Pinellas rents consume one-quarter of income

Pinellas County renters dedicate 26.0% of their income to rent, landing squarely in the affordability stress zone relative to national benchmarks. With a median household income of $70,293 just below the national average of $74,755, residents carry a heavier housing burden than peers nationwide.

Above Florida's median affordability

At 26.0%, Pinellas's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing it among the costlier counties in the state. Median rent of $1,525 runs $292 higher than Florida's state average, driven by the St. Petersburg–Tampa coastal demand.

Pricier than Pasco, cheaper than Osceola

Pinellas renters pay $1,525 monthly—$153 more than Pasco County but $126 less than Osceola—positioning it in the mid-tier of Tampa Bay affordability. The county's coastal and urban attractions justify somewhat higher costs than inland Pasco alternatives.

Combined housing claims 27% of income

Renters pay $1,525 while homeowners carry $1,201 monthly, combining for roughly 27% of the $70,293 median household income. This allocation leaves Pinellas households about $4,200 monthly for all non-housing expenses.

Urban amenities come with a cost

Moving to Pinellas means budgeting 26% of income for rent—notably higher than inland Pasco but lower than Osceola. If you value beach access and urban energy, the premium is competitive; for maximum affordability within the region, Pasco offers 2 percentage points of relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pinellas County

via IncomeByCounty

Pinellas income stable near national median

Pinellas County's median household income of $70,293 sits about 6% below the national median of $74,755. This respectable standing reflects the county's mature, diverse economy spanning professional services, tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing in the Tampa Bay region.

Outperforms Florida state average

At $70,293, Pinellas County exceeds Florida's state average of $65,468 by roughly $4,800, placing it in the upper third of the state's counties. Its per capita income of $46,580 also leads the state average substantially, indicating concentrated high earners.

Regional income leader in west-central Florida

Pinellas's $70,293 income leads neighboring Pasco County ($67,384) and significantly exceeds Polk County ($63,644), reflecting its strength as a professional and retiree destination. The county's higher per capita income suggests a wealthier demographic composition than inland neighbors.

Housing costs well-controlled

With a rent-to-income ratio of 26.0%, Pinellas County maintains excellent housing affordability relative to household earnings. A median home value of $319,000 remains accessible for families earning the county median, supporting stable homeownership rates.

Invest in retirement security early

Pinellas County's $70,000+ household income supports consistent long-term investing, particularly important given Florida's large retiree population. Workers should prioritize employer retirement plans and catch-up contributions to ensure adequate savings for 20+ year retirements.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pinellas County

via HealthByCounty

Pinellas beats national health benchmarks

Pinellas County residents live to 77.6 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.2 years. With 17.7% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 18%—the county demonstrates strong preventive care and chronic disease management.

Tops Florida's health outcome rankings

Pinellas's 77.6-year life expectancy stands nearly 2 years above Florida's 75.8-year average, ranking the county among the state's healthiest. This performance reflects established medical infrastructure, aging but insured retiree populations, and robust provider networks.

Regional health leader alongside Sarasota

Pinellas's 77.6-year life expectancy leads its immediate neighbors, with only Sarasota County's 80.3 years and Palm Beach's 80.7 years surpassing it in the state. The county's advantage over Pasco (76.2) reflects better-resourced health systems and higher healthcare access.

Best-in-class provider access

Pinellas leads most Florida counties with 91 primary care providers and 286 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring robust care access. At 13.0% uninsured, the county remains near Florida's average, meaning gaps persist despite ample providers—a sign of affordability and enrollment challenges.

Discover coverage options available to you

Even in well-resourced Pinellas, over 13% lack insurance. Explore marketplace plans with subsidies, Medicaid eligibility, and employer programs at Healthcare.gov or contact Pinellas County's enrollment navigators at 211.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pinellas County

via RiskByCounty

Pinellas ranks among nation's highest risk

Pinellas County's composite risk score of 98.22 places it in the highest tier of U.S. counties for disaster exposure, rated Relatively High. Tornado risk at 99.05 and flood risk at 99.20 reflect the county's unique vulnerability, amplified by hurricane exposure at 98.87.

Top-three risk county in Florida

Pinellas ranks among Florida's riskiest communities with a 98.22 score, standing 22.48 points above the state average of 75.74. Only the most exposed coastal counties match Pinellas's overall hazard burden.

Coastal concentration of extreme risk

Pinellas's 98.22 score aligns with Sarasota County (98.16) and Palm Beach County (99.20) as part of Florida's most hazardous coastal region. Inland Polk County (96.53) and Pasco County (95.96) show measurably lower exposure, underscoring coastal Florida's disproportionate risk.

Flooding and tornadoes top threats

Pinellas faces exceptional flood risk at 99.20 and tornado risk at 99.05, making storm surge and violent winds the county's most pressing hazards. Hurricane exposure at 98.87 means Atlantic storms will routinely threaten the county with compounded surge, wind, and rainfall impacts.

Flood and wind coverage essential

Pinellas homeowners must secure separate flood insurance—storm surge and rainfall overwhelm drainage systems regularly in this low-lying county. Comprehensive wind coverage, roof reinforcement, and storm shutters are mandatory investments for properties facing the region's frequent hurricane and tornado threats.

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.