CountyScore

Placer County

California · CA

#38 in California
58
County Score

County Report Card

About Placer County, California

Placer Ranks Solidly Above National Median

Placer County scores 54.8, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 10% and placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The score reflects strong professional incomes balanced against escalating housing costs.

Below State Average Despite Affluence

At 54.8, Placer falls below California's 61.3 average, ranking in the lower-middle tier despite being one of the state's fastest-growing and wealthiest counties. Housing affordability pressures constrain the overall livability score.

Top-Tier Household Incomes

Placer posts an income score of 58.2 with median household income of $114,678—among the state's highest. Strong professional and tech-sector employment supports purchasing power, though housing costs are rising steeply.

Rapidly Rising Housing Costs

The cost score of 36.2 reflects median home values of $658,800 and gross rent at $1,991/month, making Placer increasingly expensive despite being more affordable than coastal counties. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain incomplete.

For Tech Workers Near Sacramento

Placer suits dual-earning professional households earning $110,000+ who commute to Sacramento or Bay Area tech jobs and value suburban amenities. First-time homebuyers without substantial down payments will struggle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost36.2SafetyComing SoonHealth83.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome58.2Risk6.9WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠36.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼58.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.9
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 Placer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

LaSalle County
Illinois
58
Median income: $72,281
Grafton County
New Hampshire
58
Median income: $84,021
Albany County
New York
58
Median income: $83,149
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838
Lucas County
Ohio
58
Median income: $60,095

Deep Dives

Placer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Placer County

via TaxByCounty

Placer County has highest tax rate surveyed

Placer County's effective rate of 0.850% matches the national median, making it the only county in this survey at parity with the national standard. Despite moderate home values—median of $658,800—Placer homeowners pay $5,600 annually, reflecting the county's notably higher tax rate relative to peers.

Placer significantly above California average

At 0.850%, Placer County's effective rate exceeds California's state average of 0.714% by nearly 20%, placing it among the highest-taxed counties statewide. This above-average rate is the primary driver of Placer's relatively high tax burden compared to other surveyed counties.

Placer taxed highest in northern region

Placer's 0.850% rate significantly outpaces all regional neighbors: Nevada County (0.741%), Modoc (0.682%), and Plumas (0.721%). This makes Placer the highest-taxed county in the northern Sierra Nevada and foothill region by a wide margin.

Median Placer home costs $5,600 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $658,800 and an effective rate of 0.850%, Placer County homeowners pay approximately $5,600 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, taxes rise to $5,917; without them, the base tax is $4,768.

High rates make appeals worthwhile in Placer

Because Placer's tax rate is the highest in this region, even modest reductions from a successful assessment appeal can save homeowners significant dollars annually. If your home was last assessed more than two years ago or property values in your neighborhood have declined, filing an appeal is worth the minimal effort required.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Placer County

via CostByCounty

Placer offers genuine affordability comfort

Placer County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% sits comfortably below the national threshold, bolstered by a county median household income of $114,678—second-highest in this eight-county set. Renters spend $1,991 monthly, but that represents just 21% of earnings, leaving substantial budget flexibility.

Below California's affordability line

Placer County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio beats California's 22.4% state average, making it one of California's most affordable markets among higher-income counties. This combination—strong incomes plus moderate housing costs—creates rare breathing room for residents.

Gold standard for Sacramento region

Placer County's median gross rent of $1,991 undercuts Orange County ($2,352) and Napa ($2,141), while its $658,800 median home value offers genuine value compared to coastal alternatives. Among northern counties, only Modoc beats Placer's affordability ratio, though Placer offers far higher incomes and job opportunities.

Best balance in the comparison set

Placer renters dedicate just 20.8% of their $114,678 income to rent ($1,991/month), while homeowners commit 24.3% to ownership costs ($2,326/month). This is among the most balanced housing-to-income relationship in the eight-county set, leaving families substantial resources for savings and other priorities.

Placer County: Smart money moves here

Placer County combines Sacramento region job access, Gold Country scenery, and genuinely balanced housing affordability—an increasingly rare California combination. If you're relocating for work or seeking to maximize income relative to housing costs, Placer County delivers on both fronts.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Placer County

via IncomeByCounty

Placer ranks among America's highest earners

Placer County's median household income of $114,678 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 53%, placing it among the nation's most affluent counties. Proximity to Sacramento, tech jobs, and quality of life attract high-earning households.

Placer leads all California counties

At $114,678, Placer's median household income surpasses California's state average of $87,001 by $27,677, ranking it among the state's highest-income counties. The county consistently attracts wealth and professional-class residents from the Bay Area and Sacramento.

Placer tops this eight-county group

Placer's $114,678 median income ranks highest among these eight counties, edging Orange ($113,702) and Napa ($108,970). The county's location between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe positions it as a destination for affluent professionals and retirees.

Best affordability among high-income peers

Placer's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among the state's higher-income counties, with median home values of $658,800. Even as a pricey market, Placer offers better housing-cost ratios than wealthier Orange County and Napa.

Placer's formula for wealth accumulation

With median per capita income of $56,902 and the best housing-cost ratio among high earners, Placer households have exceptional capacity to save and invest. Residents should maximize retirement contributions, build diversified portfolios, and consider real estate investments to compound wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Placer County

via HealthByCounty

Placer County tops national average

Placer residents live to 81.2 years on average, surpassing the U.S. average of 78.5 years by nearly 3 years. At just 13.6% reporting poor or fair health—the lowest rate in this group—Placer demonstrates exceptional population health outcomes.

Placer among California's healthiest

With a 81.2-year life expectancy, Placer beats California's 78.5-year state average and ranks among the state's top-performing counties. The 13.6% poor/fair health rate is significantly below state trends, reflecting sustained wellness and disease prevention.

Placer leads Sacramento region

Placer's 81.2-year life expectancy matches Napa's and outpaces neighboring El Dorado, Sacramento, and Sutter counties. At 122 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Placer offers the highest provider density among these eight counties.

Lowest uninsured rate in state

At just 3.7%, Placer's uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties and far below California's 7.2% average, ensuring excellent coverage. With 122 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Placer leads the group in frontline healthcare access.

Placer residents: stay covered

Placer's exceptional coverage means most residents already have health insurance, but if you're in the small uninsured minority, options exist. Covered California is ready to help you find an affordable plan.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Placer County

via RiskByCounty

Placer: Well Above National Risk Average

Placer County's composite risk score of 93.07 ranks it as relatively moderate and significantly exceeds the national average. This Sierra foothills and valley region faces substantial exposure to wildfires and seismic activity.

High-Risk Within California's Scale

Placer scores 93.07—well above California's state average of 88.72—placing it in the upper portion of the state's risk rankings. Its position bridging the valley and mountains amplifies multiple hazard exposures.

Riskier Than Most Regional Peers

Placer's score of 93.07 exceeds neighboring El Dorado (around 80s) and sits above the state average shared by Nevada County peers. Its wider geography and expanding wildland-urban interface increase overall exposure.

Wildfire and Earthquake Lead the List

Placer County's wildfire risk reaches 98.70, one of the state's highest, while earthquake risk scores 95.23. Flood risk is also significant at 95.77, with tornado risk more moderate at 23.31.

Triple Coverage Strongly Recommended

Placer residents should secure earthquake insurance, flood insurance, and verified fire coverage, as the county faces top-tier risk in all three categories. Inspect your policy limits carefully; higher-value homes in this region often need coverage above standard homeowners caps.

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.