countyscore
42.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 97.7Health 74.5Lawn Care 63.6

County Report Card

About San Benito County, California

San Benito edges above national livability median

San Benito County scores 43.3 out of 100, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by just 6.7 points. This places the county in the 45th percentile nationally—middle-of-the-road for livability compared to all U.S. counties.

Outperforms California on the whole

San Benito ranks above California's state average of 40.9, placing it in the upper half of the state's counties. The county performs better than most of its California peers on overall livability measures.

Highest incomes in the group, solid health

San Benito leads with a median household income of $108,289 and the highest income score of 97.1 among these eight counties, signaling strong earning power. A health score of 74.5 further demonstrates solid healthcare and wellness infrastructure supporting residents.

Housing costs and schools lag significantly

The cost score of just 0.9 reflects severe housing unaffordability, with median home values at $751,500 and gross rent at $1,922 monthly. Schools also struggle with a score of only 37.9, and water availability concerns emerge with a score of 38.6, hinting at regional resource constraints.

Perfect for wealthy professionals unconcerned with schools

San Benito suits high-income earners and remote workers who can comfortably afford premium housing and value strong health outcomes. Families prioritizing public schools or seeking affordability should look elsewhere, as this county's real estate commands top-tier prices.

2040608010049.50.950.274.537.997.714.838.659.4Tax49.5Cost0.9Safety50.2Health74.5Schools37.9Income97.7Risk14.8Water38.6Weather59.442.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

San Benito County DNA

Foverall

How San Benito County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

San Benito County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (97.7/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (0.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
49.5
Cost
0.9-47.1
Safety
50.2
Health
74.5+24.5
Schools
37.9-16.1
Income
97.7+46.7
Risk
14.8-32.2
Water
38.6-19.4
Weather
59.4
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Compare mortgage rates in San Benito County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$793,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,992/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$793,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$79,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $114,394/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.1

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
Compare San Benito County with Ellis County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Ellis County
Kansas
Median income: $63,084
42.9
Cecil County
Maryland
Median income: $92,007
42.9
Dakota County
Minnesota
Median income: $106,318
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Cape Girardeau County
Missouri
Median income: $68,464
42.9
Warren County
Missouri
Median income: $81,209
42.9
Lee County
Arkansas
Median income: $34,375
42.8
San Luis Obispo County
California
Median income: $97,446
42.8
Santa Barbara County
California
Median income: $98,161
43

Nearby counties

Monterey County
California
39.1
Merced County
California
34.6
Santa Cruz County
California
41
Stanislaus County
California
35.1
Santa Clara County
California
42.3
Kings County
California
37.7
Fresno County
California
32.7
Madera County
California
35

Deep Dives

San Benito County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Benito County

via TaxByCounty

San Benito's tax rate is well above average

San Benito's effective tax rate of 0.809% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.714%, placing it in the top tier nationally. The median property tax of $6,078 is more than double the national median of $2,690, driven by a median home value of $751,500.

San Benito ranks high among state counties

Among California's 58 counties, San Benito's 0.809% effective rate stands above the state average of 0.714%. The median tax of $6,078 significantly exceeds California's state median of $4,045, making it one of the state's higher-tax counties.

San Benito leads regional tax burden

San Benito's 0.809% rate is the highest among nearby California coastal and valley counties, surpassing San Luis Obispo's 0.705% and San Diego's 0.700%. The combination of high home values and the rate itself makes San Benito a notably expensive county for property taxes.

Median San Benito home exceeds $6,078

With a median home value of $751,500, San Benito homeowners pay approximately $6,078 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total can exceed $6,645 annually.

Appeal your assessment to save

San Benito homeowners with higher assessed values should request an assessment review, as overvaluation is common in high-appreciation markets. A successful appeal costs nothing to request and can deliver substantial year-over-year savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Benito County

via IncomeByCounty

San Benito earns 45% above nation

San Benito County's median household income of $108,289 far exceeds the national median of $74,755—a remarkable 45% premium. This high-earning county punches above its size, reflecting agricultural prosperity and proximity to Silicon Valley labor markets.

San Benito ranks among state's best

At $108,289, San Benito's median household income significantly outpaces California's $87,001 state average. The county ranks in California's top tier for household income, driven by agricultural wealth, wine production, and commuter wages from tech corridors.

Outearning nearby counties decisively

San Benito's $108,289 median income towers over San Joaquin County ($88,531) and exceeds San Luis Obispo County ($93,398). The county's strategic location between agricultural regions and tech hubs gives it a unique economic advantage.

Still high housing costs despite high income

San Benito's 21.3% rent-to-income ratio is the most favorable in this survey, yet the median home value of $751,500 remains steep. High household incomes help, but even affluent San Benito residents must commit substantial wealth to housing.

High earners must invest strategically

San Benito's $108,289 median income positions households above most of California, creating significant capacity for wealth building. Beyond housing, residents should prioritize diversified investments, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and estate planning to maximize long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in San Benito County

via CrimeByCounty

San Benito County’s Exceptional Safety

San Benito County stands out with an impressive safety score of 98.2, far surpassing national standards. Its total crime rate of 1,122.8 per 100,000 residents is less than half of the national average of 2,385.5. This makes it one of the most secure environments in the country.

A Leader in California Safety

San Benito's safety score of 98.2 easily beats the California state average of 96.3. With a total crime rate of 1,122.8, it performs significantly better than the state average of 2,355.2 per 100,000 residents. Only three reporting agencies manage this vast, relatively quiet area.

Comparing Coastal and Inland Safety

San Benito County is remarkably safer than its neighbors, with a crime rate of 1,122.8 versus San Joaquin’s 2,695.6. It even outperforms San Luis Obispo, which reports a rate of 2,295.6 per 100,000. This data confirms San Benito as a regional haven for low-crime living.

Breakdown of Local Crime Stats

The property crime rate of 786.1 is exceptionally low compared to the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also lower than the national benchmark, sitting at 336.7 per 100,000 residents. Residents enjoy a high degree of peace of mind regarding both their property and personal safety.

Keeping San Benito Secure

While crime is low, maintaining high security standards ensures San Benito stays safe. Simple measures like exterior lighting and smart doorbells provide an extra layer of protection. Community vigilance remains the best tool for the three agencies serving this county.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Benito County

via WeatherByCounty

San Benito's moderate annual profile

San Benito County averages 58.2°F, placing it very close to the California state average and the national median. It receives a modest 13.6 inches of rain per year, typical for the Central Coast hinterlands.

Aligning with the state average

The county's 58.2°F average is nearly identical to the California statewide average of 58.7°F. Its precipitation of 13.6 inches is notably lower than the state average of 25.8 inches, indicating a drier environment.

Cooler than the inland valleys

San Benito is significantly cooler than nearby San Joaquin County, which averages 62.5°F. This reflects the county's transitional geography between the coast and the hot interior.

Warm summers with crisp nights

The county sees 54 extreme heat days a year, significantly fewer than the deep Central Valley. July averages a comfortable 69.1°F, while winters are cool with a January average of 47.9°F.

Prepare for dry, temperate weather

While heat is less intense than inland, 54 days of 90°F weather still require cooling solutions. Light winter gear suffices for the mild 48.3°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Benito County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Soils with Coarse Character

San Benito features a coarse sand texture with an average pH of 6.69. This level is nearly identical to the national median of 6.5, offering an ideal neutral environment for most crops. The balanced chemistry supports a wide variety of agricultural uses.

Sand-Heavy Mix for Easy Workability

The composition is 41.4% sand, 31.9% silt, and 23.5% clay. This mix creates a soil that is easy to work and dig but requires careful management of its clay component. The high silt and clay levels help hold nutrients that sand alone would lose.

Strong Water Retention for Growth

Organic matter reaches 3.00%, which is higher than the national average but slightly below the 3.30% state level. The water capacity of 0.147 in/in beats the state average of 0.141 in/in, meaning this land holds moisture remarkably well. These fertile conditions provide a strong foundation for local orchards.

High Runoff Potential in Group D

Classified in hydrologic group D, these soils have a high runoff potential when they become thoroughly wet. Farmers and builders must manage irrigation and drainage carefully to avoid surface saturation. Strategic landscaping can help direct water flow and prevent erosion on hillsides.

Orchards and Vineyards in Zone 9b

Zone 9b supports a thriving wine and orchard culture in San Benito's Mediterranean climate. Plant some heirloom fruit trees or a backyard vineyard to take advantage of these water-retentive soils. Your garden will thrive in the county's warm days and cool nights.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Benito County

via LawnByCounty

Above average conditions for San Benito

With a lawn difficulty score of 63.6, San Benito County is one of the easier places in California to maintain a green space. Your Hardiness Zone 9b climate offers a balance that is more forgiving than the state average of 51.3.

Milder heat and focused growing days

San Benito experiences 54 extreme heat days per year, which is just below the California average. However, 13.6 inches of annual precipitation is less than half of what a typical lawn prefers, so efficient irrigation remains essential.

Starting with nearly perfect soil pH

Your soil pH of 6.69 is right in the 'sweet spot' for grass growth, falling perfectly within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. The coarse sand texture and 41.4% sand content suggest excellent drainage, though you may need to fertilize more frequently.

Maintaining resilience in dry years

While the county had zero weeks in drought over the last year, the low annual rainfall makes you vulnerable to shifts in weather. Using mulch around lawn edges and maintaining a higher mowing height will help keep the soil cool and moist.

Spring planting after the April frost

Perennial ryegrass or fine fescues do well in this climate's moderate temperatures. Wait until after the last spring frost on April 14 to begin your seeding projects for the most reliable results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Benito County's county score?
San Benito County, California has a composite county score of 42.9 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 San Benito County rank among counties in California?
San Benito County ranks #18 among all counties in California 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 San Benito County, California?
The median annual property tax in San Benito County is $6,441, with an effective tax rate of 0.81%. This earns San Benito County a tax score of 49.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Benito County?
The median household income in San Benito County, California is $114,394 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Benito County earns an income score of 97.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Benito County, California a good place to live?
San Benito County scores 42.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in California. The best way to evaluate San Benito 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 San Benito 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.