CountyScore

Sonoma County

California · CA

#43 in California
56.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sonoma County, California

Sonoma beats the national median

Sonoma County's composite score of 54.4 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 55th percentile nationally. While the county shows strength in tax efficiency with a 0.716% effective rate, it lags in housing affordability compared to peers.

Below California's average livability

Sonoma's 54.4 score falls short of California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among state counties. The gap reflects California's overall high cost of living, which challenges even relatively affluent regions.

Tax advantages and strong incomes

The county excels in tax burden with a score of 82.1, while its median household income of $102,840 provides solid earning power for the region. These factors offset some of the pressure from expensive housing and rentals.

Housing costs squeeze affordability

Sonoma's cost score of 34.6 reflects a median home value of $779,000 and monthly rent averaging $2,093—major barriers for middle-income households. Future data on safety, schools, and health will provide a fuller picture of livability.

For affluent professionals seeking wine country

Sonoma suits established households with six-figure incomes who prioritize lifestyle and natural beauty over housing affordability. It's less accessible to first-time buyers or families building wealth, despite its genuine strengths in taxes and income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.1Cost34.6SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome50.5Risk0.9WaterComing Soon
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠34.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼50.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.9
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 Sonoma County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cheshire County
New Hampshire
56.2
Median income: $81,001
Lehigh County
Pennsylvania
56.2
Median income: $77,493
Alexandria city
Virginia
56.2
Median income: $113,638
Riverside County
California
56.3
Median income: $89,672
Allegany County
New York
56.3
Median income: $61,233

Deep Dives

Sonoma County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sonoma County

via TaxByCounty

Sonoma's taxes dwarf the national average

Sonoma County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.716%, nearly matching California's state average of 0.714% but far exceeding the national median of 0.955% on comparable homes. The median property tax here is $5,580 annually—more than double the national median of $2,690—reflecting the county's median home value of $779,000.

Middle of the pack across California

Sonoma ranks near the state median for effective tax rates, sitting just barely above California's 0.714% average. Its median annual tax of $5,580 exceeds the state median of $4,045, placing it firmly in the upper half of California counties by total tax burden.

Higher taxes than similar Wine Country peers

Compared to neighboring Napa County and surrounding regions, Sonoma's 0.716% effective rate and $5,580 median tax reflect its higher home values. Ventura County to the south carries a similar rate at 0.693%, while smaller inland counties like Sutter (0.779%) and Tulare (0.730%) maintain comparable or slightly higher effective rates despite lower home prices.

A $779,000 home costs $5,580 yearly

The typical Sonoma homeowner with a $779,000 property pays approximately $5,580 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.716%. For mortgaged properties, this figure climbs to $6,048 when including mandatory mortgage-related assessments.

Many Sonoma homeowners may be overassessed

Property tax assessments aren't always accurate, and Sonoma homeowners have the right to appeal if they believe their valuation is too high. Even a small reduction in assessed value can yield meaningful annual savings given the county's high home prices.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sonoma County

via CostByCounty

Sonoma rents outpace U.S. norms

Sonoma County residents spend 24.4% of income on rent, above the national benchmark and higher than California's 22.4% average. At $2,093 per month, median gross rent is 29% higher than the state median of $1,618, reflecting the region's proximity to the Bay Area job market.

Among California's pricier counties

Sonoma ranks in the upper tier of California counties for housing costs, driven by strong regional demand and limited housing supply. The county's median home value of $779,000 places it solidly above the state trend.

Sonoma vs. nearby North Coast

Renters in Sonoma pay $2,093 monthly versus $1,247 in nearby Tuolumne County—a 68% difference—while median incomes in Sonoma ($102,840) are proportionally higher. This premium reflects Sonoma's coastal appeal and stronger regional economy compared to inland neighbors.

Where Sonoma dollars go

A Sonoma household earning $102,840 annually spends roughly $24,960 on rent (24.4% of income) or $27,648 on mortgage payments. Housing consumes nearly a quarter of household income, leaving limited flexibility for savings, childcare, and other essentials.

Consider Sonoma's cost-income trade-off

If you're relocating to wine country, Sonoma's high median income ($102,840) helps offset housing costs—but only if your job pays comparably. Renters and buyers on average California salaries may find better affordability 45 minutes inland in Tuolumne or Stanislaus counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sonoma County

via IncomeByCounty

Sonoma pulls ahead of America

Sonoma County's median household income of $102,840 runs 37% higher than the national median of $74,755. This positions the county well above typical U.S. earnings, reflecting its strong economy and proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area labor market.

Top earners in California

At $102,840, Sonoma ranks among California's wealthiest counties, outpacing the state's median household income of $87,001 by 18%. The county's per capita income of $54,941 also exceeds the state average of $43,669, signaling concentrated earning power.

Outearning the North Bay

Sonoma's $102,840 median household income far exceeds nearby Napa and Marin dynamics, with comparable tech and wine-country wealth. Neighbors like Stanislaus ($79,661) and Tuolumne ($72,259) fall notably behind, underlining Sonoma's regional economic advantage.

High income, high costs

While Sonoma's median income is robust, the rent-to-income ratio of 24.4% and median home value of $779,000 consume substantial earnings. Housing affordability remains tight despite strong household income, requiring strategic budgeting and financial planning.

Leverage Sonoma's earning edge

With median household income significantly above state and national averages, Sonoma residents are positioned to invest in retirement accounts, diversified portfolios, and additional property. Consulting a financial advisor to optimize tax strategies and long-term wealth building is particularly valuable in a high-income county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sonoma County

via HealthByCounty

Sonoma's life expectancy leads the nation

At 80.6 years, Sonoma residents live more than 5 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The county's 14.4% poor/fair health rate also beats the national average of 18%, reflecting strong overall health outcomes.

Outperforming California on longevity

Sonoma's 80.6-year life expectancy exceeds California's 78.5-year average by 2.1 years. This places the county among the healthiest in the state, with fewer residents reporting poor or fair health compared to state norms.

Sonoma stands apart in the region

Sonoma's 80.6-year life expectancy far exceeds neighboring Stanislaus (75.4 years) and Sutter (77.3 years) counties. The county also leads the region in mental health provider density at 586 per 100,000, more than double Stanislaus's 283.

Access remains strong across providers

Sonoma's 6.7% uninsured rate ranks below the state average of 7.2%, and residents have solid access to care with 102 primary care providers per 100,000. The county's robust mental health infrastructure—586 providers per 100,000—supports comprehensive behavioral health services.

Keep coverage strong for all

While Sonoma's 6.7% uninsured rate is better than the state average, nearly 1 in 15 residents still lack health insurance. Explore coverage options at Covered California or local health departments to ensure you and your family stay protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sonoma County

via RiskByCounty

Sonoma ranks in nation's highest-risk tier

Sonoma County's composite risk score of 99.08 places it well above the national average, earning a Relatively High rating. This score reflects exposure to multiple severe hazards that demand serious preparedness planning.

Among California's most at-risk counties

With a score of 99.08, Sonoma ranks among the top tier of California's 58 counties—significantly above the state average of 88.72. The county faces compounded risks from earthquakes, floods, and wildfires simultaneously.

Riskier than most North Bay neighbors

Sonoma's 99.08 score exceeds nearby Napa and Marin counties, positioning it as the highest-risk county in the immediate region. Only Ventura County statewide matches Sonoma's extreme composite risk profile.

Earthquakes and floods top your hazard list

Sonoma faces earthquake risk at 99.46 and flood risk at 99.17—both among California's highest. Wildfire risk at 98.22 adds a third major threat, particularly in the county's northern and eastern communities.

Get triple-coverage insurance now

Standard homeowners insurance won't cover earthquakes or floods; you need separate policies for all three hazards. Contact your insurer immediately about earthquake coverage, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, and wildfire protections specific to your neighborhood.

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.