countyscore
35.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.7Health 78.4Property Tax 55.3

County Report Card

About Solano County, California

Solano trails the national livability median

Solano's composite score of 36.4 falls well below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 18th percentile nationally. Strong incomes fail to offset severe safety concerns and housing affordability challenges.

Below California's state average

At 36.4, Solano underperforms California's state average of 40.9, ranking among the state's weaker performers despite its Bay Area proximity. The county's challenges are significant despite some economic strengths.

Solid incomes and health services

Solano scores 95.3 for income with a median household income of $99,994, and 78.4 for health, reflecting good access to Bay Area employment and medical resources. Tax burden scores of 58.0 provide modest relief.

Safety crisis and severe housing unaffordability

Solano's safety score of just 6.1 is among California's worst, reflecting serious crime or violence concerns. Housing affordability is also grim with a cost score of 1.3, median home values of $589,600, and rents of $2,088/month—expensive for the income and safety trade.

For commuters accepting elevated safety risk

Solano serves as a commute corridor for Bay Area workers seeking slightly lower housing costs than core tech hubs, but only those willing to navigate significant personal safety challenges. Families or safety-conscious individuals should prioritize other Bay Area or inland options.

2040608010055.31.36.178.444.294.7349.946.8Tax55.3Cost1.3Safety6.1Health78.4Schools44.2Income94.7Risk3Water49.9Weather46.835.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Solano County DNA

Foverall

How Solano County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Solano County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (94.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
55.3
Cost
1.3-46.7
Safety
6.1-48.9
Health
78.4+28.400000000000006
Schools
44.2-9.799999999999997
Income
94.7+43.7
Risk
3-44
Water
49.9-8.100000000000001
Weather
46.8-9.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Solano County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$617,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$2,163/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$617,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$86,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $100,401/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.0

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
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Nearby counties

Contra Costa County
California
39.8
Napa County
California
43.3
Sacramento County
California
38.2
Yolo County
California
37.6
Alameda County
California
40.1
San Francisco County
California
42.7
Marin County
California
47.9
San Joaquin County
California
32.9

Deep Dives

Solano County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Solano County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Trends Exceed National Average

Solano County’s total crime rate of 3,226.6 per 100K is roughly 35% higher than the national average. This results in a safety score of 94.9, the lowest in this regional group.

Below the State Safety Average

With a safety score of 94.9, Solano trails the California state average of 96.3. The county faces higher pressure from both property and violent crimes compared to its coastal neighbors.

Comparing the I-80 Corridor

Solano sees more crime per capita than adjacent Napa or Sonoma counties. Its property crime rate of 2,671.2 reflects the challenges of being a high-traffic urban corridor.

Both Crime Categories See Increases

Property crime (2,671.2) and violent crime (555.4) rates in Solano both exceed national averages. These numbers indicate a higher frequency of theft and physical confrontations than the state norm.

Prioritizing Comprehensive Home Safety

High local crime rates make monitored alarm systems a necessity for Solano residents. Professional monitoring can provide a critical layer of defense and faster emergency response times.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Solano County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Inland-Influenced Climate

Solano's average annual temperature of 62.6°F is significantly higher than the national median. This reflects its position where coastal air meets the heat of the Central Valley.

One of California's Warmer Counties

Solano is nearly 4 degrees warmer than the California state average of 58.7°F. Its precipitation of 25.0 inches almost perfectly aligns with the state's 25.8-inch norm.

Much Hotter Than Coastal Neighbors

Solano faces 88 days of extreme heat, a massive jump from San Mateo’s 14 days. It experiences a July average of 77.0°F, which is much hotter than the nearby Bay Area coast.

Extreme Heat and Snow-Free Winters

The county endures nearly three months of days over 90°F, though winters remain a mild 49.4°F. Snow is non-existent, and summer averages reach a high 75.4°F.

Maximize Cooling and Early Outdoor Plans

High-capacity air conditioning is a necessity to manage the 88 extreme heat days. Plan outdoor activities for the early morning to avoid the intense afternoon inland heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Solano County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Soils of the Delta Fringe

Solano County earns a soil score of 51.3, placing it slightly above the state average of 48.6. Its average pH is 6.12, making it more acidic than the state average of 6.34 and the national median of 6.5. This mild acidity is generally favorable for a wide variety of California native plants and crops.

A Substantial and Heavy Texture

The soil composition is 27.7% clay, 35.1% silt, and 30.3% sand. This relatively high clay content provides excellent nutrient retention but can make the soil heavy and harder to work when wet. Gardeners will find that this mix holds onto water longer than the sandier soils of the coast.

Meeting State Fertility Standards

Solano's organic matter sits at 3.28%, which is almost identical to the state average of 3.30%. The available water capacity is 0.139 inches per inch, nearly matching the state benchmark of 0.141. These figures indicate a reliable soil that, with moderate care, provides a stable environment for growth.

Slow Drainage and High Runoff

Falling into Hydrologic Group D, Solano soils have a very slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. This high clay content means water may pool on the surface during intense rains. If you are building or farming, ensuring proper drainage is essential to prevent soil compaction and root rot.

Bountiful Harvests in Zone 9b

Hardiness Zone 9b makes Solano County a prime location for stone fruits like apricots and plums. The warm, dry summers and mild winters are also perfect for Mediterranean herbs and hardy vegetables. Start your garden now to enjoy the high productivity of these well-balanced delta-region soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Solano County

via LawnByCounty

Meeting the California average

Solano County's lawn difficulty score of 51.1 sits almost exactly on the state average of 51.3. Located in Zone 9b, you have a long growing season but must contend with significant summer heat. While you are slightly above the national median of 50.0, the high heat days make this a high-effort region for grass.

Bracing for extreme heat

Solano experiences a massive 88 extreme heat days per year, far exceeding the state average of 59. This heat, combined with 25.0 inches of annual precipitation, creates a thirsty environment for any lawn. With a high growing degree day count of 4,854, your grass will grow rapidly and require frequent mowing.

Managing heavy clay soils

Your soil is 27.7% clay, which holds onto water but can become compacted and hard during the 88 days of extreme heat. The pH is nearly perfect at 6.12, meaning your soil chemistry is ideal for nutrient absorption if you keep it aerated. Adding sand or organic matter can help improve the 30.3% sand content to better balance drainage.

Preparing for the next dry cycle

While there have been 0 weeks of drought in the past year, the 88 extreme heat days can create 'flash drought' conditions in your backyard. To protect your lawn, water deeply in the pre-dawn hours to ensure the 25.0 inches of rain isn't lost to evaporation. Creating a 3-inch tall grass canopy will help shade the soil and protect it from the baking sun.

The best time to plant

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia are the most resilient choices for Solano’s 88 extreme heat days. Your last spring frost on February 4 gives you a very early start, while the December 11 fall frost provides a long autumn for repair. Seed your lawn in late spring so it is fully established before the punishing July and August heat begins.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Solano County's county score?
Solano County, California has a composite county score of 35.9 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 Solano County rank among counties in California?
Solano County ranks #47 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 Solano County, California?
The median annual property tax in Solano County is $4,621, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Solano County a tax score of 55.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Solano County?
The median household income in Solano County, California is $100,401 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Solano County earns an income score of 94.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Solano County, California a good place to live?
Solano County scores 35.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #47 in California. The best way to evaluate Solano 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 Solano 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.