CountyScore

Solano County

California · CA

#46 in California
55.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Solano County, California

Solano matches national livability baseline

Solano's composite score of 54.6 slightly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates above-average livability by American standards. Solano represents a reasonable middle-ground profile compared to extreme Bay Area costs.

Below California average, moderate positioning

Solano scores 54.6 against California's 61.3 state average, placing it slightly below the midpoint of state counties. It outperforms some inland regions but trails most coastal and high-income areas. The score reflects a transitional Bay Area county with mixed livability factors.

Tax advantage with moderate housing costs

Solano's tax score of 81.2 (0.748% effective rate) combines with a cost score of 36.2, offering middle-ground affordability compared to Silicon Valley. Median homes at $589,600 and rent at $2,088/month make this significantly more accessible than Bay Area core counties. This county provides reasonable housing costs for regional standards.

Income potential lags regional neighbors

Solano's income score of 48.6 with median household income of $99,994 trails Bay Area tech centers while exceeding inland rural counties. Residents earn solidly middle-class wages but lack access to the highest-paying sectors. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.

For Bay Area commuters seeking balance

Solano suits dual-income families and commuters seeking Bay Area proximity without peak coastal prices, with $100k household income typical. The $589k median home price and $2,088 rent make this accessible compared to San Jose or San Francisco. This county rewards those balancing career access with genuine housing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.2Cost36.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome48.6Risk3WaterComing Soon
🏛81.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠36.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼48.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡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 Solano County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fairfax County
Virginia
55.7
Median income: $150,113
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
55.8
Median income: $86,365
McKinley County
New Mexico
55.6
Median income: $44,496
Cattaraugus County
New York
55.6
Median income: $58,248
Ellis County
Texas
55.6
Median income: $95,898

Deep Dives

Solano County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Solano County

via TaxByCounty

Solano taxes 64% above national median

Solano County residents pay a median of $4,408 in property taxes—64% higher than the national median of $2,690. At an effective rate of 0.748%, Solano stands above California's state average of 0.714%, reflecting a growing county with homes valued near $590,000.

Above-average rate, moderate taxes

Solano County's 0.748% effective rate ranks above California's 0.714% state average, placing it in the upper half of counties. At $4,408 median annual taxes, residents pay slightly above the state average of $4,045.

Between Sacramento Valley and Bay Area

Solano County homeowners pay $4,408 annually on median homes worth $589,600—more than rural northern counties but far less than Bay Area titans. The county's 0.748% rate exceeds Santa Barbara (0.662%) and matches pressure from nearby rapidly-growing areas.

A $590K home costs $4,408 yearly

The typical Solano County homeowner pays $4,408 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $589,600. With mortgage-related assessments factored in, residents typically see totals near $4,789.

Growing counties often have assessment lags

Solano County's rapid growth can create gaps between assessed and actual market values—sometimes overvaluing, sometimes undervaluing properties. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could adjust your bill to match current conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Solano County

via CostByCounty

Solano stretches budgets in the Bay Area

Solano County renters spend 25.1% of their income on housing—2.7 points above California's average—despite median income of $99,994. At $2,088 for monthly rent, Solano offers Bay Area proximity at somewhat lower costs than its coastal neighbors.

Above-average burden in the Bay Area

Solano ranks among California's less affordable counties with a 25.1% rent-to-income ratio and median home values of $589,600. The county sits between affordable inland regions and pricey coastal counties, acting as a buffer zone for Bay Area commuters.

The commuter's compromise

Solano renters pay $2,088 monthly—nearly identical to Santa Barbara ($2,050) but $805 less than San Mateo—while homes cost $146,100 less. For workers priced out of core Bay Area counties, Solano offers reasonable access with a 45-minute commute to job centers.

Solano household economics

A household earning $99,994 dedicates $2,088 to rent (25.1% of income) or $2,202 for ownership. This relatively high housing cost ratio leaves limited flexibility for savings, childcare, or emergency funds—typical of Bay Area satellite counties.

Solano County: the Bay Area gateway

If you need Bay Area jobs but can't afford core counties, Solano offers $141K-$800K cheaper homes with reasonable commutes to Sacramento and San Francisco. You'll trade urban amenities for suburban sprawl and still dedicate one-quarter of income to housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Solano County

via IncomeByCounty

Solano earns solidly above U.S. average

Solano County's median household income of $99,994 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 34%, positioning it among America's higher-earning counties. Per capita income of $44,139 runs well above national norms. The county's proximity to Bay Area economic centers drives strong wages.

Upper-middle tier in California

Solano's $99,994 median household income runs 15% above California's state average of $87,001, placing it in the state's upper-middle tier of counties. Per capita income of $44,139 also exceeds the state average of $43,669 by 1%. The county captures Bay Area wealth spillover.

Outearns inland, trails Bay Area

Solano ($99,994) substantially outearns rural counties like Shasta ($71,931) and Sierra ($60,000), but trails coastal powerhouses Santa Clara ($159,674) and San Mateo ($156,000). Santa Cruz County ($109,266) edges Solano slightly higher. The county occupies a transitional income zone between rural and tech-hub regions.

Housing costs press affordability limits

Solano residents spend 25.1% of their $99,994 income on rent, with median home values of $589,600 pushing toward affordability constraints. The ratio approaches the 30% threshold where housing becomes unaffordable. Households need careful budgeting to preserve wealth-building capacity.

Leverage transitional income position

With $100,000 household income and manageable housing ratios, Solano residents can comfortably fund retirement accounts and supplemental investments. Consider real estate strategies in nearby affordable counties or diversified stock portfolios to accelerate wealth growth. The county's income level provides a solid springboard for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Solano County

via HealthByCounty

Solano slightly above national average

Solano County residents live to 78.8 years, edging slightly above the U.S. average of 78.3 years. However, 17.7% report poor or fair health, above the national 18% rate, signaling health vulnerabilities despite comparable longevity.

At state average on longevity

Solano's 78.8-year life expectancy nearly matches California's 78.5 average, ranking it in the middle of this county comparison. The county's 5.6% uninsured rate sits notably below the state average of 7.2%, indicating solid coverage access.

Moderate health standing regionally

Solano's 78.8-year life expectancy trails Bay Area counties like San Mateo (84.1) and Santa Clara (83.8) but exceeds rural northern counties. At 17.7% poor/fair health and 5.6% uninsured, Solano ranks mid-tier among this diverse eight-county group.

Balanced primary and mental health access

Solano supports 84 primary care providers and 464 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing moderate-to-good capacity. With 5.6% uninsured, most residents hold coverage, though those without face barriers in an industrial-suburban county with mixed economic conditions.

Build your healthcare foundation

Solano County's 5.6% uninsured rate is an improvement over state average, but that means thousands remain without coverage. Visit coveredca.com to enroll or update your plan, particularly if you work in fluctuating industries where coverage gaps can emerge.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Solano County

via RiskByCounty

Solano ranks among highest-risk counties

Solano County's composite risk score of 97.01 places it well above the national average with a 'Relatively High' rating. The county faces significant multi-hazard exposure across earthquakes, floods, and wildfires affecting both urban and rural areas.

Among California's top 10 riskiest counties

Solano's 97.01 score substantially exceeds California's average of 88.72, reflecting the county's position at the intersection of multiple seismic zones. The Bay Area-Central Valley interface creates compounded risk from both tectonic and climatic hazards.

Similar risk to other Bay Area counties

Solano (97.01) faces comparable overall risk to Santa Clara (99.75) and San Mateo (99.24), though slightly lower threat from earthquakes. The three-county region represents the state's most hazard-vulnerable urban corridor.

Earthquakes and floods top the list

Solano's earthquake risk scores 98.95 while flood risk reaches 97.36, threatening both urban centers and agricultural valleys. Wildfire risk (94.50) is also substantial, particularly affecting foothill communities and open spaces in the county's northern and eastern areas.

Earthquake and flood insurance critical

Solano residents must secure earthquake insurance, as standard policies exclude seismic damage in this 98.95-risk county. Flood insurance is equally essential, particularly for properties in low-lying areas near the Sacramento River and Delta waterways.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.