CountyScore

Santa Clara County

California · CA

#57 in California
51.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Santa Clara County, California

Santa Clara just below national median

Santa Clara's composite score of 45.3 falls slightly below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. Despite extraordinary income levels, housing costs drag the overall livability score down. This reflects the classic Bay Area paradox: high pay, high prices.

Underperforms California's state average

Santa Clara ranks 45.3 against California's 61.3 average, placing it among the state's lower-scoring counties. The gap is driven entirely by housing unaffordability, not lack of economic opportunity. Few California counties match Santa Clara's income levels, yet fewer struggle more with cost of living.

Silicon Valley's highest earners reside here

Santa Clara boasts a median household income of $159,674—the highest among these eight counties—with an income score of 87.6. The tax score of 82.4 (0.706% effective rate) means top earners retain substantial take-home pay. This is ground zero for tech sector compensation.

Housing costs constrain even high earners

Despite industry-leading incomes, Santa Clara's cost score of just 6.8 reflects median home values of $1,382,800 and rents of $2,814/month. Housing consumes disproportionate household resources even at $160k income levels. Health, safety, school, and environmental data gaps limit our understanding of quality-of-life factors beyond economics.

For tech workers accepting housing constraints

Santa Clara suits engineers, product managers, and tech professionals earning $150k+ who prioritize career advancement and professional networks. Success requires either high dual incomes, significant savings, or willingness to live far from work. This county demands the highest commitment to housing costs in the state.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.4Cost6.8SafetyComing SoonHealth84.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome87.6Risk0.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠6.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼87.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.3
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 Santa Clara County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

San Mateo County
California
51.3
Median income: $156,000
Webb County
Texas
51.4
Median income: $62,506
Marin County
California
51
Median income: $142,785
Bexar County
Texas
51
Median income: $70,571
Cook County
Illinois
51.6
Median income: $81,797

Deep Dives

Santa Clara County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Santa Clara County

via TaxByCounty

Santa Clara taxes nearly four times higher

Santa Clara County homeowners pay $9,766 annually—nearly four times the national median of $2,690. At 0.706%, the effective rate barely trails California's state average of 0.714%, but the county's $1.38 million median home value places it in the top 2% nationally for total tax burden.

Highest-taxed county in California

Santa Clara County ranks as the highest-taxed county in California in raw dollars, with residents paying a median of $9,766 annually. The county's effective rate of 0.706% sits just below the state average, but home values here are among the nation's most expensive.

Beats San Mateo by $599 per home

Santa Clara homeowners pay $9,766 annually, slightly more than San Mateo County's $9,167 despite similar home values above $1.3 million. Santa Cruz County residents, about 50 miles south, pay substantially less ($6,305) on cheaper homes worth $1.01 million.

A $1.38M home costs $9,766 yearly

The typical Santa Clara homeowner pays $9,766 in annual property taxes on a median home worth $1.38 million. With mortgage-related tax adjustments factored in, many residents see bills approach the $10,001 effective total.

Overassessments in Silicon Valley are common

In fast-appreciating Santa Clara County, many homeowners discover their assessed values lag significantly behind market reality—or sometimes exceed it. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could reduce your annual burden, especially after market corrections or structural changes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Santa Clara County

via CostByCounty

Silicon Valley's surprising affordability edge

Despite being Silicon Valley's heart, Santa Clara County renters spend just 21.1% of income on housing—better than the state average of 22.4% and among the nation's best-managed rates. The median income of $159,674 is more than double the national average, making high costs manageable for local earners.

Most affordable for high earners statewide

Santa Clara ranks among California's better-balanced housing markets when accounting for income, with a 21.1% rent-to-income ratio. Median home values of $1.38 million remain steep, but the county's strong income levels keep the burden manageable.

The Valley's relative bargain

Santa Clara renters pay $2,814 monthly—slightly less than San Mateo's $2,893—yet earn $3,674 more annually ($159,674 vs. $156,000). Compared to Santa Cruz County ($2,172/month rent), Santa Clara costs more but offers greater tech-sector income potential.

How Silicon Valley budgets housing costs

The typical household earning $159,674 spends $2,814 on rent or $3,233 for ownership, claiming just over one-fifth of income. This favorable ratio reflects the alignment between high local wages and housing costs—though it's only achievable for tech professionals and established residents.

Moving to the Valley? Tech jobs make it work

Santa Clara works best for high-income earners; a $1.38 million median home requires substantial savings or a six-figure salary. Compare with San Mateo for similar tech density or look to Santa Cruz County if you prefer lower housing costs with a 90-minute commute.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Santa Clara County

via IncomeByCounty

Santa Clara dominates national earnings

Santa Clara County's median household income of $159,674 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 114%, ranking it among America's highest-earning counties. Per capita income reaches $77,018—nearly double the national average per capita of roughly $39,000. This Silicon Valley powerhouse anchors the nation's wealth creation engine.

California's top earner

At $159,674, Santa Clara County claims the highest median household income in California, running 83% above the state average of $87,001. Its per capita income of $77,018 nearly doubles California's average of $43,669. Santa Clara is the state's premier income and innovation hub.

Tech corridor's twin peaks

Santa Clara ($159,674) narrowly leads San Mateo County ($156,000), with both anchored by tech and biotech sectors in the Bay Area. Santa Cruz County ($109,266) and Solano County ($99,994) trail by $50,000+ per household. The concentration of high-income households in these two adjacent counties creates a regional wealth epicenter.

Wealth tested by housing costs

Santa Clara residents spend 21.1% of income on rent despite median household incomes near $160,000, because median home values hit $1,382,800. While rent-to-income ratios remain reasonable, the absolute housing costs still claim substantial wealth. Even top earners must strategize carefully to build equity beyond their primary residence.

Invest surplus income strategically

With $159,674 median household income, Santa Clara households generate significant surplus after essential costs, creating opportunity for aggressive wealth-building. Maximize 401(k) contributions, consider taxable investment accounts, and explore secondary real estate opportunities in appreciating markets. The county's extraordinary income advantage compounds into generational wealth with disciplined strategy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Santa Clara County

via HealthByCounty

Silicon Valley's longevity advantage

Santa Clara County residents live to 83.8 years, beating the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 5.5 years. With 14.8% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 18% rate—the county demonstrates strong population health outcomes.

Among California's healthiest

Santa Clara's 83.8-year life expectancy exceeds California's 78.5 average by 5.3 years, positioning it as a top-performing county. The uninsured rate of 4.0% sits well below the state average of 7.2%, reflecting excellent coverage.

Edges out regional competitors

Santa Clara's 14.8% poor/fair health rate trails only San Mateo County (13.2%) among Bay Area peers, while its 4.0% uninsured rate ranks lowest in the region. Life expectancy at 83.8 years ranks second only to San Mateo's 84.1 years.

Excellent access, strong primary care

Just 4.0% of Santa Clara residents lack health insurance, providing nearly universal coverage. The county maintains 107 primary care providers and 453 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, supporting comprehensive and accessible healthcare delivery.

Keep your coverage secure

Though Santa Clara leads on coverage, changes in employment or income can disrupt protection. Check coveredca.com annually to confirm your plan remains optimal and explore options if life circumstances shift.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Santa Clara County

via RiskByCounty

Santa Clara faces the nation's highest risk

Santa Clara County's composite risk score of 99.75 ranks among the absolute highest in the nation, earning a 'Very High' rating. The county's combination of seismic activity, urban flood exposure, and wildland-urban interface creates compounded vulnerability.

California's most at-risk county overall

Santa Clara's 99.75 score stands as California's highest, far exceeding the state average of 88.72. The county's position astride major fault lines and rapid development in flood-prone areas drive this exceptional vulnerability.

Highest risk in the entire Bay Area

Santa Clara (99.75) faces significantly greater overall risk than San Mateo (99.24) and Santa Cruz (97.81), making it the Bay Area's most hazard-vulnerable county. Its combination of high earthquake (99.94), flood (99.78), and tornado (55.79) risks exceeds regional peers.

Earthquakes and floods threaten everywhere

Santa Clara's earthquake risk reaches 99.94—virtually at the maximum—while flood risk scores 99.78, affecting both valley floor residents and foothills communities. Wildfire risk (97.39) poses additional significant threat to foothill neighborhoods and open-space communities.

Every coverage type matters in Santa Clara

Santa Clara residents need earthquake insurance (99.94 risk), flood insurance (99.78 risk), and wildfire coverage as baseline protections. Comprehensive emergency planning and regular home hardening are as important as insurance for this ultra-high-risk county.

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.