CountyScore

Stanislaus County

California · CA

#30 in California
59.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Stanislaus County, California

Stanislaus outperforms national baseline

Stanislaus County's composite score of 63.1 ranks in the top 63rd percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. The county's strength lies in affordable housing paired with moderate tax burden, making it a relative value play.

Slightly ahead of California average

At 63.1, Stanislaus edges above California's state average of 61.3, placing it in the upper-middle range of state counties. This modest advantage reflects the county's success in keeping housing costs down relative to state peers.

Affordability meets low tax burden

Stanislaus shines with a cost score of 55.6—notably higher than most California counties—supported by a median home value of $426,600 and rent at $1,528 monthly. Its tax score of 82.3 adds to household savings.

Lower incomes limit purchasing power

The county's income score of 35.4 reflects a median household income of just $79,661, substantially below state averages. This income-to-housing ratio means families must stretch budgets despite the region's comparative affordability.

For families prioritizing housing affordability

Stanislaus works best for working and middle-class families seeking Central Valley roots and the most housing bang for their buck. It's less suited to high-income earners or those requiring dense job markets, but offers real stability for modest earners.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost55.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.4Risk3.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.1
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 Stanislaus County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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59.9
Median income: $120,324
Delaware County
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59.9
Median income: $130,088
Oklahoma County
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59.9
Median income: $65,374
Burnet County
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59.9
Median income: $77,158

Deep Dives

Stanislaus County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stanislaus County

via TaxByCounty

Stanislaus taxes slightly below state average

Stanislaus County's effective tax rate of 0.709% sits just below California's state average of 0.714%, keeping the county near the middle of national rankings. The median property tax of $3,025 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though Stanislaus homes average $426,600—well below the national median of $281,900.

Below-average tax rate for California

Stanislaus ranks slightly below the state median with an effective rate of 0.709% compared to California's 0.714%. The county's median tax of $3,025 falls below the state median of $4,045, making it one of California's more affordable counties for property taxes.

Lower taxes than San Joaquin Valley rivals

Stanislaus's 0.709% effective rate edges out neighboring Tulare County (0.730%) and sits well below Sutter County (0.779%). Among Central Valley peers, only Tehama (0.632%) and Trinity (0.539%) offer meaningfully lower effective rates.

A $426,600 home costs $3,025 yearly

The typical Stanislaus homeowner with a $426,600 property pays approximately $3,025 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, that figure rises to $3,313.

Appeal your assessment if valuation seems high

Even in a relatively affordable county like Stanislaus, property tax assessments can be challenged if they overvalue your home. A successful appeal could reduce your annual tax burden by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stanislaus County

via CostByCounty

Stanislaus approaches national affordability

Stanislaus County residents spend 23.0% of income on rent, just slightly above the California average of 22.4% and well below the national housing cost burden. At $1,528 per month, median rent is only 6% below the state median, making Stanislaus more affordable than much of California.

Middle ground among California counties

Stanislaus ranks as one of California's more moderately priced counties, with a median home value of $426,600 that reflects Valley location and lower land costs. The county offers a sweet spot between rural affordability and urban job access.

Stanislaus undercuts Bay Area spillover

Rent in Stanislaus ($1,528) costs 27% less than in nearby Sonoma ($2,093), yet median household income ($79,661) remains competitive. This positioning makes Stanislaus increasingly attractive to Bay Area workers seeking housing savings without sacrificing regional employment options.

Stanislaus housing as percentage of income

A typical Stanislaus household earning $79,661 annually dedicates $18,336 to rent (23% of income) or $19,500 to mortgage payments. This leaves more breathing room than coastal counties for other essentials and savings.

Stanislaus works for remote workers

If you're relocating with a remote job or flexible employment, Stanislaus delivers California affordability without severe Bay Area price shock. The county sits just 90 minutes from Silicon Valley, making it ideal for those seeking lower housing costs while maintaining urban access.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stanislaus County

via IncomeByCounty

Stanislaus income hits national mark

Stanislaus County's median household income of $79,661 runs 6.5% above the national median of $74,755. The county's Central Valley economy supports solid middle-class earnings, though growth has plateaued compared to coastal California regions.

Below California's income baseline

At $79,661, Stanislaus falls roughly 8% short of California's median household income of $87,001. The per capita income of $33,653 trails the state average of $43,669, indicating income concentration and earnings inequality within the county.

Middling earnings in the Valley

Stanislaus ($79,661) earns more than Sutter ($75,450) and Tulare ($69,489) but trails Tuolumne ($72,259) and lags far behind Sonoma ($102,840). As a Central Valley anchor, the county occupies a middle tier of California's income distribution.

Rents eat into middle-class budgets

Stanislaus's 23.0% rent-to-income ratio is slightly below state norms, offering modest relief to renters earning $79,661 annually. Median home values of $426,600 remain affordable relative to income, making homeownership more achievable than in coastal counties.

Build assets on Central Valley wages

Stanislaus residents with median household income of $79,661 have room to fund emergency savings, retirement accounts, and real estate investments. The lower home values compared to state averages create an opportunity to build equity through homeownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stanislaus County

via HealthByCounty

Stanislaus faces serious health challenges

At 75.4 years, Stanislaus residents live about a year shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.6%) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18%.

Among California's lowest life expectancy

Stanislaus's 75.4-year life expectancy lags California's 78.5-year average by 3.1 years, placing the county among the state's lower performers. The 19.6% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the state trend.

Lagging behind surrounding counties

Stanislaus's 75.4-year life expectancy trails Sonoma (80.6 years) by over 5 years and Tuolumne (76.4 years) by a full year. The county has only 66 primary care providers per 100,000—less than the regional leaders—straining access to basic healthcare.

Provider shortages limit healthcare access

With a 7.1% uninsured rate just below the state average, Stanislaus still faces significant access barriers due to only 66 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health services are similarly stretched thin at 283 providers per 100,000, contributing to gaps in preventive and behavioral care.

Don't delay on health coverage

About 1 in 14 Stanislaus residents lack health insurance, and with limited provider capacity, having coverage is critical. Visit Covered California or contact your local county health department to find affordable insurance options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stanislaus County

via RiskByCounty

Stanislaus carries above-average national risk

Stanislaus County's composite risk score of 96.88 places it well into the Relatively High category nationally. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple overlapping hazards across the county.

Third-highest risk in Central Valley

Stanislaus scores 96.88—well above California's 88.72 state average—ranking it among the state's top five riskiest counties. The county faces notably higher earthquake risk (98.54) than most of its peers.

Riskier than Merced, comparable to Tuolumne

Stanislaus's 96.88 score exceeds Merced County's risk profile but sits slightly below Tulare County's 97.04. All three Central Valley counties share elevated flood and earthquake vulnerabilities.

Earthquakes, floods, and wildfires converge

Earthquake risk (98.54), flood risk (95.96), and wildfire risk (95.04) all exceed state averages in Stanislaus. The county's agricultural base and aging infrastructure compound flood dangers in particular.

Bundle earthquake, flood, wildfire coverage

Your homeowners policy covers none of your three biggest hazards; you must buy earthquake and flood insurance separately. Wildfire-specific coverage varies by insurer—verify your policy includes wildland-urban interface protections.

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.