CountyScore

Rensselaer County

New York · NY

#43 in New York
56.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Rensselaer County, New York

Rensselaer ranks near the national baseline

Rensselaer County's composite score of 52.8 sits just 2.8 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the middle tier nationally. The score reflects a county balancing mixed strengths and challenges without standout advantages or critical gaps.

Rensselaer falls slightly below state average

With a score of 52.8, Rensselaer ranks modestly below New York's county average of 54.7, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state performance. This suggests the county faces stronger competition from peers both within and outside New York.

Affordability is a clear advantage

Rensselaer's cost score of 65.1 is its strongest dimension, with median home values of $244,300 and gross rents at $1,182 monthly—among the most affordable in the region. Median household income of $86,663 provides reasonable earning power to match this lower cost environment.

Tax burden and income growth weigh heavily

A tax score of 40.6 and effective tax rate of 2.193% place Rensselaer well above state averages, reducing resident take-home pay. Income scores of 40.0 indicate limited wage growth prospects, compounding the tax burden challenge.

Ideal for budget-conscious newcomers

Rensselaer works well for families and retirees seeking genuine housing affordability and lower costs of living, willing to accept higher tax rates. It's less suitable for high-income earners sensitive to tax burden or those seeking strong income growth opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax40.6Cost65.1SafetyComing SoonHealth80.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome40Risk17.8WaterComing Soon
🏛40.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.8
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 Rensselaer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gwinnett County
Georgia
56.7
Median income: $84,823
Kings County
New York
56.7
Median income: $78,548
Champaign County
Illinois
56.8
Median income: $63,091
Wyandotte County
Kansas
56.8
Median income: $60,582
Douglas County
Nebraska
56.8
Median income: $79,081

Deep Dives

Rensselaer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rensselaer County

via TaxByCounty

Rensselaer taxes nearly double U.S. median

Rensselaer County's effective tax rate of 2.193% nearly doubles the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top 20% of U.S. counties by burden. Homeowners here pay $5,357 annually on a median home valued at $244,300—slightly below the national median home value but at nearly twice the typical tax rate.

Rensselaer ranks among New York's highest

At 2.193%, Rensselaer County exceeds the state average effective rate of 2.046% by a notable margin. This places the county in the upper tier of New York's 62 counties for property tax burden.

Suburban Capital Region pays premium rates

Rensselaer's 2.193% rate exceeds nearby Saratoga County (1.491%) by 47% but falls below Schenectady County's 2.459%. The entire Capital Region north of Queens carries substantially higher tax rates than New York City's outer boroughs.

Median home costs $5,357 annually in taxes

A Rensselaer County homeowner with the median property value of $244,300 pays approximately $5,357 in annual property taxes. That's about $447 per month on a more modest home value than the downstate average.

Assessment appeals are your lever here

Many Rensselaer homeowners don't realize their properties are assessed above comparable market values. Filing an assessment appeal—which costs nothing—could reduce your tax bill by 5 to 15 percent, a significant savings on a $5,357 annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rensselaer County

via CostByCounty

Rensselaer beats national affordability benchmarks

Rensselaer residents spend just 16.4% of their $86,663 median income on rent—well below the national norm and substantially better than most U.S. counties. This favorable ratio reflects both a solid regional income base and rents averaging only $1,182 monthly.

More affordable than most New York counties

Rensselaer's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below New York State's 17.6% average, placing it in the more affordable tier statewide. The county's median rent of $1,182 nearly matches the state average of $1,133, while median incomes exceed the state norm.

Rensselaer offers solid value in the Capital Region

Compared to Saratoga County (16.2% rent-to-income) and Schenectady County (18.1%), Rensselaer offers a middle ground with competitive housing costs and higher incomes than Schenectady's $76,989. Home values at $244,300 are the lowest among these three Albany-area counties.

Rents and mortgages share household budgets evenly

At $1,182 in rent and $1,430 in owner costs, Rensselaer households earning $86,663 annually dedicate roughly 16-20% of income to housing, leaving robust discretionary income. The modest gap between rent and ownership costs reflects the county's accessible home-buying market, with median homes priced at $244,300.

Smart choice for balanced cost and income

Rensselaer delivers rare value: sub-state-average rent ratios, strong incomes, and affordable home prices under $250,000. If you're relocating from Queens or Richmond County, expect to cut your housing cost burden by 8-10 percentage points while maintaining solid employment options in the Capital Region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rensselaer County

via IncomeByCounty

Rensselaer beats the national income average

Rensselaer County's median household income of $86,663 exceeds the national median by $11,908, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. The per capita income of $45,113 is notably higher than the national average, signaling strong individual earning power.

Above-average income across New York state

Rensselaer ranks in the upper half of New York's 62 counties with a median income $10,230 above the state average of $76,433. Its per capita income of $45,113 exceeds the state average by nearly $4,000, reflecting a higher-earning workforce.

Third-highest income among regional peers

Rensselaer's $86,663 median household income trails only Rockland County ($110,631) and Saratoga County ($99,653) in this eight-county comparison. The county outpaces Richmond County ($98,290) by a narrow margin while significantly exceeding lower-income Schuyler and Schoharie counties.

Affordable housing makes a real difference

At 16.4% of household income, Rensselaer's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most favorable in the region, well below the 30% homeownership guideline. The median home value of $244,300 is the second-lowest among these counties, making homeownership accessible for many households.

Capitalize on affordable housing to build equity

Rensselaer households earning $86,663 enjoy a rare advantage: low housing costs that free up 20-30% of income for wealth-building. Prioritize paying down mortgage principal ahead of schedule and invest surplus savings into diversified retirement accounts and index funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rensselaer County

via HealthByCounty

Rensselaer matches America's health median

Life expectancy in Rensselaer County stands at 77.8 years, just above the U.S. average of 75.4 years, with a 13.5% poor/fair health rate that runs slightly below the national average of 16%. These figures suggest modest but steady health outcomes for the region.

Rensselaer trends just below state average

At 77.8 years, Rensselaer's life expectancy nearly matches New York's 77.9-year average, placing it in the middle of the state's county rankings. With a 4.4% uninsured rate, the county performs better than the state average of 5.3%, indicating relatively good insurance coverage.

Rensselaer holds steady in Capital Region

Rensselaer's 77.8-year life expectancy falls below neighboring Saratoga (80.3) and Schenectady (77.1), placing it mid-range among regional peers. Its uninsured rate of 4.4% ranks favorably against Saratoga's 3.8%, and mental health providers at 209 per 100,000 are accessible.

Low uninsured rate masks access gaps

Rensselaer's 4.4% uninsured rate—below the state average—suggests good insurance uptake, yet primary care availability at just 48 per 100,000 may create wait times for preventive care in rural areas. Mental health services are reasonably available, but provider distribution likely concentrates in larger towns.

Keep coverage strong in Rensselaer

Although uninsured rates are low, staying covered ensures continuity of care—especially important in areas with limited primary care options. Verify your health plan's network coverage at ny.gov or contact local health departments to confirm access to nearby providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rensselaer County

via RiskByCounty

Rensselaer carries moderate national risk

Rensselaer County scores 82.16 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category—above the national average but not extreme. This reflects genuine exposure to flooding and tornado activity without the elevated seismic or coastal threats seen in some regions. The county sits in the middle-to-upper range of American disaster vulnerability.

Mid-range risk across New York

Rensselaer ranks in the middle of New York's county risk distribution with a score of 82.16 versus the state average of 69.42—about 18% above baseline. The county is neither among New York's safest nor its most hazardous, placing it in a manageable but attentive tier. Five counties in New York carry notably higher risk.

Less risky than nearby Saratoga

Rensselaer (82.16) sits below neighboring Saratoga County (73.03) in raw score but reflects higher underlying hazard exposure. Compared to Schenectady County (71.28), Rensselaer shows greater vulnerability across multiple hazard types. Within the Capital Region, Rensselaer occupies the higher-risk position.

Flooding and tornadoes drive your risk

Flood risk reaches 88.96, making water inundation Rensselaer's most pressing hazard, while tornado risk (76.59) represents a significant secondary threat. Earthquake risk (63.30) rounds out moderate exposure. Together, these seasonal and unpredictable hazards demand year-round preparedness.

Flood coverage should be your first step

With flood risk at 88.96, standard homeowners policies exclude water damage—NFIP or private flood insurance is critical for Rensselaer residents. Review tornado preparedness in your home, including safe room designation and weather alert systems. Discuss all three hazards with your insurance agent to close coverage gaps.

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.