San Juan County exceeds national livability median
San Juan County's composite score of 70.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 41%, ranking in the 71st percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects a county that manages to deliver livability despite significant income challenges.
2 / 5
Close to Utah state average, slightly below
At 70.4, San Juan County trails the state average of 72.1 by just 1.7 points, placing it squarely in the middle of Utah's county performance. Its competitive positioning highlights how multiple livability factors can balance out despite individual weaknesses.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and low tax burden
San Juan County excels with a cost score of 85.3, offering a median home value of $189,900 and median rent of just $805 per month—the most affordable housing in this group. The tax score of 78.5 provides further financial relief, making this county genuinely accessible to working families.
4 / 5
Low incomes and health outcomes lag
The county struggles with an income score of just 19.2, reflecting a median household income of only $54,890—the lowest in the study. Health outcomes also score lower at 58.7, suggesting potential gaps in healthcare infrastructure or wellness resources that warrant attention.
5 / 5
Fits budget-conscious families seeking community
San Juan County attracts families, retirees, and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability and low living costs over high wages and medical services. It's ideal for those with stable, remote, or modest income sources who value frontier living and genuine housing accessibility.
San Juan County exceeds national livability median
San Juan County's composite score of 70.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 41%, ranking in the 71st percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects a county that manages to deliver livability despite significant income challenges.
Close to Utah state average, slightly below
At 70.4, San Juan County trails the state average of 72.1 by just 1.7 points, placing it squarely in the middle of Utah's county performance. Its competitive positioning highlights how multiple livability factors can balance out despite individual weaknesses.
Exceptional affordability and low tax burden
San Juan County excels with a cost score of 85.3, offering a median home value of $189,900 and median rent of just $805 per month—the most affordable housing in this group. The tax score of 78.5 provides further financial relief, making this county genuinely accessible to working families.
Low incomes and health outcomes lag
The county struggles with an income score of just 19.2, reflecting a median household income of only $54,890—the lowest in the study. Health outcomes also score lower at 58.7, suggesting potential gaps in healthcare infrastructure or wellness resources that warrant attention.
Fits budget-conscious families seeking community
San Juan County attracts families, retirees, and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability and low living costs over high wages and medical services. It's ideal for those with stable, remote, or modest income sources who value frontier living and genuine housing accessibility.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
San Juan County's effective tax rate of 0.844% ranks in the top 5% nationally and is 69% higher than the state average of 0.498%. Though the median tax bill of $1,603 falls below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values, the effective rate reveals a heavy local tax burden.
Steepest taxes in all of Utah
San Juan County has the highest effective tax rate among all 29 Utah counties at 0.844%, nearly double the statewide average of 0.498%. Its median tax of $1,603 sits between low-tax rural counties and high-value counties, reflecting the county's unique fiscal structure.
Far exceeds surrounding rural counties
San Juan County's 0.844% rate dwarfs neighboring Emery County and nearby Navajo County, Arizona, and stands well above every other Utah county in the Four Corners region. The rate reflects San Juan's distinct revenue needs as a sparsely populated, resource-dependent area.
Median home carries $1,603 annual tax
A typical San Juan County home valued at $189,900 generates an annual property tax bill of $1,603—the result of the county's elevated rate applied to lower property values. Interestingly, homeowners with mortgages pay $1,776, while outright owners pay $1,346, reflecting assessment variation.
Challenge assessments in this high-rate county
In San Juan's high-tax environment, even small assessment errors can compound into significant yearly costs for homeowners. Filing a formal appeal to verify your assessment's accuracy relative to comparable properties is especially worthwhile in this county.
San Juan County's median household income of $54,890 falls 27% below the national average of $74,755, creating significant affordability challenges despite moderate rents. The rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% reflects this income disadvantage—renters here spend a larger share of smaller paychecks on housing.
Low income, high affordability pressure
San Juan County ranks among Utah's least affordable by income level, with a median household income well below the state average and a rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% above Utah's 16.6% state benchmark. The combination of lower wages and modest rent creates a tight squeeze for local families.
Similar challenges to other rural counties
San Juan County's $805 rent is comparable to Sevier County ($878) and Uintah County ($914), but its lower median income of $54,890 makes proportional costs heavier than neighboring areas. The county's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds most peers despite moderate absolute rental prices.
Rent dominates San Juan budgets
At $805 monthly for renters and $568 for homeowners, housing costs consume 17.6% to 12.4% of a median $54,890 household income. For the typical renting family earning under $55,000 annually, that $805 rent represents a meaningful portion of their budget.
San Juan offers low costs, limited income
If you're relocating to San Juan, factor in the lower median income alongside modest housing costs—the county suits remote workers or those with portable income streams. The affordable rent and home values ($189,900 median) appeal to budget-conscious movers, though local job markets are limited.
San Juan County's median household income of $54,890 lags the national median by nearly $20,000, ranking it well below national norms. This 26.6% deficit reflects economic challenges and limited employment diversification in the region.
Utah's lowest-earning county
San Juan County ranks dead last among Utah's 29 counties for median household income, trailing the state average of $80,176 by $25,286. Per capita income of $24,634 is similarly the state's lowest, indicating limited individual earning capacity across the county.
Struggling against regional peers
San Juan County's $54,890 income significantly trails all nearby counties, including Sanpete ($67,459) and Uintah ($69,861). The gap of $12,500-plus relative to neighbors suggests regional economic challenges requiring targeted development efforts.
Housing costs strain tight budgets
San Juan County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio consumes $803 monthly from median household income, leaving limited flexibility for savings or emergencies. While technically below the 30% affordability threshold, the ratio approaches levels where housing competes heavily with other essential costs.
Strategic planning essential for financial growth
San Juan County residents facing below-average incomes should prioritize emergency savings funds and seek education or training for higher-wage opportunities. Consider community resources and local business development initiatives that might unlock better-paying employment locally.
San Juan County faces significant health challenges
Life expectancy of 72.8 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 3.6 years, and nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.3%) report poor or fair health. These metrics rank among the nation's lowest and signal urgent healthcare access and prevention gaps.
Utah's lowest life expectancy
San Juan County's 72.8-year life expectancy lags Utah's state average of 77.9 years by 5.1 years, the largest gap among the state's counties. This shortfall reflects chronic economic and healthcare infrastructure challenges in the county.
Stark health disparities within region
San Juan County's 72.8-year life expectancy dramatically undercuts nearby Rich County (83.7 years) by 10.9 years and Uintah County (74.6 years) by 1.8 years. The region's health outcomes vary sharply despite geographic proximity.
High uninsurance, limited providers
San Juan County's 13.5% uninsured rate is the state's highest, meaning more than 1 in 8 residents lack coverage. With only 62 primary care providers and 181 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county faces both access and affordability barriers.
Coverage is the first step
At 13.5% uninsured, San Juan County residents should visit Healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, and potential subsidies. Getting covered opens the door to preventive care and managing chronic conditions before they worsen.
San Juan County's composite risk score of 26.81 places it well below the national average and in the very low risk category. Despite some localized hazard exposure, the county ranks among safer regions nationally.
Below-average risk across Utah
At 26.81, San Juan County scores comfortably below Utah's state average of 36.19. This positioning reflects relatively moderate exposure to most major disaster types.
Lower risk than Sanpete and Sevier
San Juan County's score of 26.81 sits lower than neighboring Sanpete County (38.61) and Sevier County (22.74). The variation reflects differences in elevation, proximity to water, and seismic activity.
Wildfire and earthquake dominate exposure
Wildfire risk (82.35) and earthquake risk (55.69) are San Juan County's primary concerns, while flood (23.95) and tornado risk (5.44) remain minimal. The combination reflects the county's high-desert plateau terrain and geological setting.
Wildfire and earthquake coverage matters most
Prioritize wildfire protection and earthquake insurance in San Juan County, as these represent your significant exposures. Standard homeowners insurance may not cover all wildfire damage, so verify your policy includes this protection.