CountyScore

Plymouth County

Massachusetts · MA

#10 in Massachusetts
57.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Plymouth outpaces national livability average

Plymouth County's composite score of 54.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally. The county ranks better than most American communities on measured livability factors.

Slightly below Massachusetts county median

At 54.2, Plymouth trails the state average of 57.1 by about 2.9 points, ranking it in the middle of Massachusetts counties. The county remains a solid performer within the state despite not reaching the top tier.

Best housing affordability in this group

Plymouth's cost score of 44.1 is the highest among these six counties, supported by a median home value of $513,000 and monthly rent of $1,655. These figures offer meaningful relief for families seeking Massachusetts living without premium prices.

Income levels lag behind wealthier neighbors

Plymouth's income score of 55.0 and median household income of $109,698 trail Middlesex and Norfolk by roughly $15,000, reflecting a more middle-class economic profile. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, risks, and water quality prevent full livability analysis.

For middle-class families seeking value

Plymouth County suits working families and young professionals who want Massachusetts living without the premium Boston-area prices, trading some income potential for genuine affordability. If you earn $100,000–$120,000, value space over status, and appreciate South Shore character, Plymouth offers the best balance in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.5Cost44.1SafetyComing SoonHealth82.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome55Risk9.6WaterComing Soon
🏛67.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠44.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤82.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.6
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 Plymouth County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Montgomery County
Ohio
57.6
Median income: $64,403
Liberty County
Texas
57.6
Median income: $64,773
Snohomish County
Washington
57.6
Median income: $107,982
San Joaquin County
California
57.7
Median income: $88,531
Dougherty County
Georgia
57.7
Median income: $46,784

Deep Dives

Plymouth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Plymouth County

via TaxByCounty

Plymouth's highest rate nearly quintuple the national average

Plymouth County residents face the region's most burdensome property tax rate at 1.237%, more than four times the national median rate. At $6,345 annually on a median home value of $513,000, Plymouth homeowners pay significantly more than the national median of $2,690 despite modest home values.

Highest tax rate in Massachusetts

Plymouth County's effective tax rate of 1.237% is the second-highest in Massachusetts, well above the state average of 1.065%. The county's median property tax of $6,345 stands between Middlesex and Norfolk in absolute dollars, yet represents the highest rate-based burden statewide.

Region's steepest tax burden

Plymouth County's 1.237% rate significantly exceeds all neighboring counties except Worcester (1.333%), making it one of the most tax-aggressive counties in Massachusetts. This compares sharply with Nantucket's 0.215% and Suffolk's 0.666%, illustrating the dramatic variation across the region.

Your median annual property tax bill

Plymouth County homeowners with a median-valued property of $513,000 pay approximately $6,345 per year in property taxes. This breaks down to roughly $529 monthly—a substantial cost for a median-income household in the county.

Overassessments are particularly costly here

In Plymouth County's high-tax environment, assessment errors compound the financial burden on homeowners. Residents should carefully review their property valuations and strongly consider filing appeals, as even modest reductions can yield significant annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Plymouth County

via CostByCounty

Plymouth: Massachusetts's most affordable county

Plymouth County achieves a rent-to-income ratio of just 18.1%—below both the national average of 19.3% and Massachusetts's 19.3%—while maintaining a respectable median household income of $109,698. This southern suburban county offers the rare combination of low housing costs and solid earning potential.

Best rent-to-income ratio in Massachusetts

Plymouth ranks as Massachusetts's most affordable county by rent-to-income ratio at 18.1%, beating the state average by 1.2 percentage points. The county's median rent of $1,655 is substantially below the state average of $1,558—making it the only Massachusetts county with below-average rents and above-average incomes.

Half the price of northern suburbs

Plymouth's $1,655 median rent runs nearly $400 less than Middlesex ($2,126) and Norfolk ($2,072), while its $513,000 median home value is $174,000 cheaper than Norfolk's $649,400. Among greater Boston counties, Plymouth remains the value leader without sacrificing income levels.

Housing takes smallest income share

Plymouth renters spend $1,655 monthly—just 18.1% of the $109,698 median income—while homeowners pay $2,220 or 24.3%, the most favorable burden ratio in Massachusetts. This county's balanced market means both renters and buyers experience manageable housing costs.

Best value in the Boston metro area

Plymouth is ideal for middle-income earners ($100,000–$120,000) seeking southern suburban living with genuine affordability and Boston commute access. If you're relocating to Massachusetts and concerned about housing costs, Plymouth delivers better value than any comparable county while maintaining strong local incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Plymouth County

via IncomeByCounty

Plymouth earns 47% above U.S. average

Plymouth County's median household income of $109,698 runs 47% above the national median of $74,755. The county's skilled manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services base supports steady middle-to-upper-class earnings.

Fourth-wealthiest county in Massachusetts

Plymouth ranks fourth in the state at $109,698, trailing the Middlesex-Norfolk duo and Nantucket but exceeding the state average of $96,546 by 14%. The county balances affordability with solid income levels.

Mid-tier earner among wealthy peers

Plymouth's $109,698 median trails Middlesex ($126,779), Norfolk ($126,497), and Nantucket ($119,750), but outpaces Suffolk ($92,859) and Worcester ($93,561). The county represents accessible prosperity south of Boston.

Best housing affordability in the region

Plymouth boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio (18.1%) among these six counties, and median home values of $513,000 are 25% below the regional average. Homeownership is genuinely achievable for middle-class families here.

Capitalize on affordability advantage

Plymouth residents earning $109,698 median face lower housing cost burdens than wealthier counties, freeing more dollars for savings and investments. Use this financial breathing room to build retirement accounts and education funds early.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Plymouth County

via HealthByCounty

Plymouth lags on national comparison

Plymouth County's life expectancy of 78.8 years falls slightly below the U.S. average of 78.9 years, the only Massachusetts county in this data at the national baseline. At 13.8% reporting poor or fair health versus the national rate of 15.3%, the county shows resilience despite lower longevity.

Health challenges within Massachusetts

Plymouth County's 78.8-year life expectancy trails the state average of 79.7 years by nearly a full year, the lowest among these six counties. The 13.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, indicating Plymouth faces steeper health challenges than much of Massachusetts.

Struggling alongside Worcester County

Plymouth County ties Worcester County at 78.8 years life expectancy, the lowest in this comparison group, significantly behind Middlesex (81.5 years) and Nantucket (82.8 years). Both counties share similar uninsured rates around 2.4%–3.2%, suggesting barriers beyond just insurance coverage.

Limited access to primary care

Plymouth has only 63 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the second-lowest in this group and a significant access constraint. With 648 mental health providers per 100,000 and a 2.4% uninsured rate, mental health services are relatively robust, but primary care gaps likely delay early diagnosis and prevention.

Healthcare access starts with coverage

Uninsured rates are low in Plymouth, but coverage alone isn't enough—building local primary care capacity requires proactive health-seeking and regular preventive visits. Visit healthcare.gov to find nearby primary care providers and schedule checkups that support better long-term outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Plymouth County

via RiskByCounty

Plymouth faces moderately elevated disaster risk

Plymouth County scores 90.36 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category—above the national average. This score reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazard types, with particularly acute flood vulnerability.

Mid-tier risk among Massachusetts counties

Plymouth ranks in the middle of Massachusetts risk distribution, with a composite score of 90.36 compared to the state average of 78.84. The county's 15% elevation above the state baseline reflects consistent exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Similar risk profile to Norfolk and Suffolk

Plymouth's 90.36 score falls between Norfolk (92.02) and Nantucket (38.68), placing it in Massachusetts's moderate-risk cluster. Flood risk (94.40) ties closely with other southeastern Massachusetts counties, while wildfire risk (53.78) remains moderate.

Floods pose your greatest natural hazard

Flood risk reaches 94.40 in Plymouth—among the state's highest—driven by coastal and riverine exposure. Hurricane risk (90.66) and earthquake risk (87.66) present secondary concerns, while tornado (48.22) and wildfire (53.78) risks remain more limited.

Flood insurance is your essential first step

Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners policies, making separate flood insurance non-negotiable for Plymouth residents. Adding earthquake coverage to your policy protects against another significant threat, with both available through reasonable premium rates in lower-risk flood zones.

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.