countyscore
41.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 87.3Health 75Weather & Climate 69.8

County Report Card

About Queens County, New York

Queens Trails the National Median

Queens earns a composite score of 41.6, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects the intense economic and environmental pressures common in major urban centers.

Below the New York Average

The county's score of 41.6 sits below the New York state average of 47.0. It faces steeper cost and risk challenges than many of its upstate counterparts.

High Earnings and Robust Health

Economic opportunity drives an Income Score of 88.5, supported by a median household income of $84,961. The county also excels in healthcare access with a strong Health Score of 75.0.

Cost and Environmental Risk

Housing affordability is a major hurdle with a Cost Score of 3.0 and median rents of $1,915. Natural risk also scores low at 0.8, while safety and water data are currently unavailable.

Best for High-Earning Urbanites

Queens is ideal for professionals who prioritize high income and urban vitality over housing costs. Its strong health and economic metrics compensate for a very high cost of living.

2040608010045.337543.687.30.869.8Tax45.3Cost3Safety—Health75Schools43.6Income87.3Risk0.8Water—Weather69.841.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Queens County DNA

Foverall

How Queens County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Queens County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (87.3/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (0.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
45.3
Cost
3-45
Health
75+25
Schools
43.6-10.399999999999999
Income
87.3+36.3
Risk
0.8-46.2
Weather
69.8+13.799999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Queens County

Whether buying or refinancing in Queens County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$723,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,956/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$723,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$78,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum8.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,136/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Washington County
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Knox County
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Nearby counties

New York County
New York
55.9
Kings County
New York
54.4
Bronx County
New York
42
Nassau County
New York
46.3
Hudson County
New Jersey
33.6
Bergen County
New Jersey
48.1
Richmond County
New York
46.7
Essex County
New Jersey
33.5

Deep Dives

Queens County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Queens County

via TaxByCounty

Queens taxes rank far below national average

Queens County's effective tax rate of 0.877% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $6,130 annually on a median home valued at $699,200—far more than the national median home value of $281,900, yet their rate remains one of the most favorable in the country.

New York's lowest rate among major counties

Queens County has the lowest effective tax rate in New York State at 0.877%, compared to the state average of 2.046%. This 57% savings versus the state average makes Queens one of the most tax-friendly places to own property in New York.

Queens outpaces Staten Island and the Bronx combined

Richmond County (Staten Island) has a 0.922% rate—nearly identical to Queens—while both New York City boroughs dramatically undercut suburban neighbors like Rockland County at 1.773% and Rensselaer County at 2.193%. This reflects the economics of high-density urban centers versus lower-density regions upstate.

Median home pays about $6,130 yearly

A homeowner with Queens County's median property value of $699,200 pays approximately $6,130 in annual property taxes. This translates to roughly $510 per month, a manageable burden given the borough's real estate values.

Even low-rate counties have appeal opportunities

Despite Queens' favorable tax rate, many homeowners remain overassessed—meaning their property's assessed value exceeds its market value. Filing a tax assessment appeal could lower your bill further, and the process is free through New York's informal review procedure.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Queens County

via IncomeByCounty

Queens earns above the national average

Queens County's median household income of $84,961 sits 13.6% above the national median of $74,755, positioning it solidly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This strong showing reflects the borough's diverse economy and dense urban employment base.

Mid-tier income rank within New York

Queens ranks in the middle of New York's 62 counties with a median income $8,528 above the state average of $76,433. The county's per capita income of $41,160 matches the state average, reflecting a balanced income distribution across its population.

Queens outpaces most neighboring counties

Queens' $84,961 median household income exceeds Schenectady ($76,989) and Schoharie ($71,188), though it trails Richmond County ($98,290) and Rockland County ($110,631) in the region. Among the eight counties analyzed, Queens ranks fourth, benefiting from its proximity to Manhattan's job market.

Housing costs demand careful budgeting

At a 27.1% rent-to-income ratio, Queens residents dedicate more than one-quarter of household income to rent—the highest among these counties and above the recommended 30% threshold for homeownership. The median home value of $699,200 means homeownership requires substantial down payments and strong financial reserves.

Build wealth despite high housing costs

Queens residents earning $84,961 annually can accelerate wealth-building by maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring homeownership assistance programs specific to New York City. Consider automating savings of 10-15% of income and consulting a financial advisor about tax-advantaged investment strategies suited to your income bracket.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Queens County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warmer Urban Coastal Climate

Queens County averages 55.5°F annually, which is slightly above the national median. The urban heat island effect and coastal location make it the warmest county in this group.

Far Above the State Average

At 55.5°F, Queens is 8.1 degrees warmer than the New York state average. It represents the warmest climate tier found within the state's borders.

Much Warmer Than Upstate Neighbors

Queens is over 11 degrees warmer than Otsego County on average. It experiences double the extreme heat days of Onondaga and far less snow than any inland county.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

Queens sees 16 days of extreme heat annually and a balmy July average of 77.7°F. Winters are the mildest in the group, with a January average of 33.6°F and only 27.9 inches of snow.

Invest in High-Capacity Cooling

With 16 days above 90°F, reliable air conditioning is a necessity for health and comfort. Winter gear can be lighter here, as snowfall is a third of what upstate counties receive.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Queens County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Urban Soils in Queens

Queens soil is extremely acidic with a pH of 4.02, falling well below the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 5.11. While specific taxonomic classifications are limited in this urban landscape, the high acidity defines the local chemistry. Gardeners here must frequently manage pH levels to support healthy plant growth.

A Sandy Foundation with Low Clay

The soil composition is 44.2% sand, 16.3% silt, and only 5.6% clay. This high sand content provides excellent aeration but means the soil lacks the structural stability found in clay-heavy regions. Such a mix requires careful management to prevent nutrient leaching during heavy rains.

High Organic Matter, Low Water Storage

Organic matter reaches 11.11%, which is five times higher than the national average but below the New York state average of 17.01%. The available water capacity is a low 0.106 in/in, significantly trailing the state average of 0.182 in/in. Plants in Queens likely require more frequent irrigation than those in neighboring counties.

Rapid Drainage in the City

Specific drainage classes are not recorded for this area, yet the 44.2% sand content suggests very fast water movement. This rapid drainage prevents pooling but can lead to drought stress for shallow-rooted plants. Urban growers should focus on improving water retention through consistent mulching.

Gardening Success in Zone 7b

Queens sits in hardiness zone 7b, offering one of the longest growing seasons in the state. Heat-loving crops like peppers and tomatoes thrive here if the acidic soil is properly amended with lime. Start your city garden today to take advantage of this mild coastal climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Queens County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the Urban Lawn in Queens

Queens earns a 56.1 lawn difficulty score, making it slightly easier than the national median of 50.0 but more challenging than the New York state average of 61.1. Maintaining a lawn in this Zone 7b environment requires navigating higher-than-average heat for the state.

Heat and Rain in the City

The county experiences 16 extreme heat days annually, more than double the state average of 7 days. With 44.3 inches of rain and 3,802 growing degree days, grass grows rapidly but requires careful monitoring during the hot July peak.

Acidic Soils Require Special Care

Soil here is highly acidic with a pH of 4.02, falling well below the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0. The low clay content of 5.6% means you should add organic matter to help the ground hold onto vital nutrients.

Fighting Dry Spells in Queens

Residents managed 25 weeks of drought conditions over the past year, and 100% of the county currently sits in abnormally dry status. To conserve water, homeowners should irrigate deeply but infrequently during the early morning hours.

Seeding for the Queens Climate

Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass thrive in Zone 7b’s warmer transition climate. Plan to seed or sod after the last spring frost on April 2 to give your lawn time to establish before the summer heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Queens County's county score?
Queens County, New York has a composite county score of 41.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Queens County rank among counties in New York?
Queens County ranks #50 among all counties in New York on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Queens County, New York?
The median annual property tax in Queens County is $6,297, with an effective tax rate of 0.87%. This earns Queens County a tax score of 45.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Queens County?
The median household income in Queens County, New York is $86,136 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Queens County earns an income score of 87.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Queens County, New York a good place to live?
Queens County scores 41.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #50 in New York. The best way to evaluate Queens County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Queens County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.