CountyScore

Saratoga County

New York · NY

#10 in New York
62.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Saratoga County, New York

Saratoga leads all analyzed counties nationally

Saratoga County's composite score of 58.8 ranks it nearly 9 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 59th percentile nationally. This strong position reflects the county's balanced success across multiple livability dimensions.

Saratoga ranks among New York's best

With a score of 58.8, Saratoga ranks 4.1 points above New York's county average of 54.7, placing it in the top tier of the state's counties. This leadership position reflects consistent performance across cost, tax, and income metrics.

Balanced affordability and tax advantage

Saratoga excels with matched cost and tax scores of 60.3 each, offering median home values of $324,800 and monthly rents of $1,347—both significantly below neighboring counties. The effective tax rate of 1.491% and median household income of $99,653 create genuine living-cost advantages.

Income growth potential remains modest

An income score of 48.4 suggests wage growth lags national benchmarks, indicating limited upward mobility for career advancement. However, this is the county's only notably weaker dimension.

Best all-around choice for most families

Saratoga suits middle-income to upper-middle-income families seeking an optimal balance of affordability, low taxes, and reasonable earning potential. The county offers rare equilibrium across cost, taxes, and income, making it competitive for families at nearly any life stage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.3Cost60.3SafetyComing SoonHealth85.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome48.4Risk27WaterComing Soon
🏛60.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼48.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27
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 Saratoga County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Humboldt County
California
62.9
Median income: $61,135
Franklin County
Illinois
62.9
Median income: $53,471
Lee County
Illinois
62.9
Median income: $68,459
Edgecombe County
North Carolina
62.9
Median income: $48,480
Yamhill County
Oregon
62.9
Median income: $87,084

Deep Dives

Saratoga County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Saratoga County

via TaxByCounty

Saratoga rates exceed U.S. median by 35%

Saratoga County's effective tax rate of 1.491% runs 35% above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $4,843 annually on a median home valued at $324,800, a rate structure typical of upstate New York suburbs.

Saratoga sits below New York's average rate

At 1.491%, Saratoga County falls comfortably below the state average of 2.046%, ranking in the lower-middle tier of New York's counties. The county's rate is roughly 27% more favorable than the statewide norm.

Saratoga offers relative bargain in Capital Region

Saratoga County's 1.491% rate significantly undercuts Schenectady County (2.459%) and Rensselaer County (2.193%), making it a tax haven within the Capital Region. Only Schuyler County (1.938%) among nearby upstate counties comes close to matching Saratoga's advantage.

Median home pays $4,843 yearly in taxes

A Saratoga County homeowner with the median property value of $324,800 pays approximately $4,843 in annual property taxes, or about $404 per month. This represents a solid value relative to the county's median home price.

Review assessments to lower that $4,843 bill

A 10% overassessment on Saratoga median property would cost $484 annually—money recoverable through a free assessment appeal. Check your property's assessed value against recent neighborhood sales comps to spot discrepancies.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Saratoga County

via CostByCounty

Saratoga delivers strong income-to-affordability balance

Saratoga residents spend just 16.2% of their $99,653 median income on rent—beating national averages and reflecting one of New York State's best housing-cost combinations. Monthly rents of $1,347 paired with the second-highest regional income make Saratoga among the most affordable major upstate counties.

Saratoga ranks among New York's most affordable

At 16.2%, Saratoga's rent-to-income ratio sits just below New York State's 17.6% average, placing it in the state's affordable tier. The county's median rent of $1,347 is only 19% above the state average of $1,133, while median income of $99,653 leads most comparable regions.

Saratoga beats Capital Region housing costs

Saratoga's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio edges out Rensselaer County's 16.4% and substantially beats Schenectady County's 18.1%, despite Saratoga's marginally higher rents of $1,347. The county's median home value of $324,800—just $80,500 more than Rensselaer—offers strong home-buying value.

Rentals and ownership near housing-cost parity

Saratoga renters spend $1,347 monthly (16.2% of income) while homeowners pay $1,538 (15.4% of income)—the only county in this comparison where ownership costs less than rents proportionally. Median home values at $324,800 make ownership accessible for middle-class households earning ~$100,000.

Best overall value for upstate relocation

Saratoga offers the sweet spot: lowest rent-to-income ratio among upstate counties, strong incomes above $99,000, and homes under $325,000 where mortgages cost less than rent. If you're leaving Queens (27.1% ratio) or Richmond County (20.6% ratio), Saratoga cuts your housing burden in half while maintaining professional-class employment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Saratoga County

via IncomeByCounty

Saratoga leads with strong income growth

Saratoga County's median household income of $99,653 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 33.3%, demonstrating the region's strong economic fundamentals. The per capita income of $54,698 ranks highest among these eight counties, indicating particularly high individual earning power.

Top earner among New York counties

Saratoga ranks in New York's top tier with a median household income $23,220 above the state average of $76,433. Its per capita income of $54,698 substantially exceeds the state average of $41,133, reflecting a highly educated and well-compensated workforce.

Second-highest income in regional comparison

Saratoga's $99,653 median household income ranks second only to Rockland County ($110,631) among these eight counties, narrowly exceeding Richmond County ($98,290). The county's combination of high household and per capita incomes suggests both robust employment and income equality.

Excellent affordability with manageable housing costs

Saratoga residents enjoy one of the best rent-to-income ratios at 16.2%, with a median home value of just $324,800—the third-lowest among these counties. This combination means homeownership consumes roughly 25% of gross income, leaving substantial funds for savings and investment.

Saratoga's affordability unlocks wealth potential

With both high income and low housing costs, Saratoga residents can dedicate 15-20% of income to retirement and investment accounts while maintaining comfortable housing payments. Prioritize maxing 401(k) contributions, building a diversified investment portfolio, and considering additional real estate investments in a favorable market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Saratoga County

via HealthByCounty

Saratoga outperforms nation on all measures

At 80.3 years, Saratoga County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 75.4 years by nearly 5 years, while its 10.3% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this county sample and well below the national average of 16%. This region delivers some of the nation's best health outcomes.

Saratoga is New York's health leader

Saratoga's 80.3-year life expectancy ranks among New York's best, exceeding the state average by 2.4 years, and its 3.8% uninsured rate—the lowest in this analysis—is significantly better than the state average of 5.3%. The county combines exceptional health outcomes with the strongest health security in the region.

Saratoga outpaces all regional peers

Saratoga leads the entire sample with the lowest poor/fair health rate (10.3%), the lowest uninsured rate (3.8%), and a life expectancy of 80.3 years that trails only Queens (81.2) and Rockland (81.0). Its 70 primary care providers and 240 mental health providers per 100,000 support this exceptional baseline.

Saratoga achieves exceptional health security

Just 3.8% of Saratoga residents lack health insurance—the best performance in this analysis—while 70 primary care and 240 mental health providers per 100,000 ensure accessible care. The combination of high insurance uptake, excellent provider supply, and the lowest poor/fair health rate reflects a county population with strong resources and health literacy.

Maintain Saratoga's health advantage

With the region's lowest uninsured rate and best health outcomes, keeping coverage in place protects existing gains and ensures continued access to preventive care. Review your plan annually at ny.gov/health to confirm it matches your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Saratoga County

via RiskByCounty

Saratoga carries manageable moderate risk

Saratoga County scores 73.03 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and slightly above the national average. This reflects moderate exposure to flooding and tornadoes without exceptional seismic or coastal threats. Saratoga's position represents a more balanced hazard profile than many American counties.

Mid-range risk across New York State

Saratoga ranks in New York's safer half with a score of 73.03, just 5% above the state average of 69.42. The county sits comfortably between the state's highest-risk counties (Queens at 99.17) and lowest (Schuyler at 16.25). This middle-ground position offers more breathing room for preparedness planning.

Safer than Rensselaer and Rockland

Saratoga (73.03) ranks below both Rensselaer County (82.16) and Rockland County (88.42), sitting closer to peer Schenectady County (71.28). Within the Capital Region network, Saratoga occupies one of the safer positions. This relative advantage reflects fewer compounding hazards compared to nearby Hudson Valley communities.

Flooding and wildfire deserve attention

Flood risk scores 83.30, making water inundation the primary hazard, while wildfire risk reaches 37.40—notably higher than many northeastern counties. Tornado risk (69.91) rounds out the profile. Saratoga's wildfire exposure is unusual for the region and warrants specific preparedness attention.

Flood and wildfire insurance matter here

With flood risk at 83.30, NFIP or private flood insurance is recommended for Saratoga homeowners, particularly in flood-prone zones. Given the 37.40 wildfire risk—higher than most northeastern peers—ask your agent about wildfire coverage, especially if you're near forested areas. Review your full hazard exposure with an insurance professional.

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.