CountyScore

Steuben County

New York · NY

#38 in New York
57.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Steuben County, New York

Steuben Clears National Threshold

Steuben County scores 54.2 on the composite index, modestly above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the upper-middle tier of American counties. While not exceptional nationally, the score confirms that Steuben delivers a livable environment by broader U.S. standards.

Right at New York's Average

Steuben's composite score of 54.2 sits just below New York's state average of 54.7, making it a representative New York county without particular distinction. It performs comparably to many of its regional peers in upstate New York.

Cost Remains a Competitive Edge

Steuben shines on affordability with a cost score of 78.5, supported by a median home value of $128,600 and monthly rent of $878. For homebuyers and renters alike, Steuben offers significantly lower housing burdens than much of the state.

Taxes Bite Hardest Here

Steuben's tax score of 31.3 is the lowest among these eight counties, with an effective tax rate of 2.523% that cuts into household budgets. Income scores are also modest at 25.6, and comprehensive data on safety, health, and schools is still being assembled.

For Tax-Conscious Homebuyers

Steuben suits families who prize affordable housing but should be aware of the county's higher tax burden relative to similar-cost communities. It remains a practical choice for those seeking moderate living costs in upstate New York, albeit with tax considerations to weigh carefully.

Score breakdown

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

Tax31.3Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth77.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk23.1WaterComing Soon
🏛31.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.1
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 Steuben County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chemung County
New York
57.4
Median income: $63,469
Berks County
Pennsylvania
57.4
Median income: $77,684
Chautauqua County
New York
57.5
Median income: $56,507
Cortland County
New York
57.5
Median income: $67,527
Erie County
New York
57.3
Median income: $71,175

Deep Dives

Steuben County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Steuben County

via TaxByCounty

Steuben's taxes rank among nation's highest

Steuben County's effective tax rate of 2.523% stands in the 72nd percentile nationally, well above the national median of 2.09%. Its median property tax of $3,245 pairs an above-average rate with below-average home values ($128,600 versus the national median of $281,900).

Above-average taxes for New York state

Steuben's effective rate of 2.523% significantly exceeds New York's state average of 2.046%, making it one of the higher-tax counties statewide. The median tax bill of $3,245 remains below the state median of $4,709 only because local homes are valued lower.

Highest rate in the regional group

Steuben County's 2.523% effective rate tops all eight profiled counties, including regional peers Tioga (2.448%), Tompkins (2.348%), and Seneca (2.289%). This makes Steuben the priciest place to own property in the central New York sample.

Annual tax on typical Steuben home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $128,600 pays approximately $3,245 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $3,754; without one, it drops to $2,750.

Your assessment may be too high

Steuben County homeowners facing above-average tax rates should seriously consider challenging their assessments—high rates make overassessment even more costly. Most counties allow free appeals through the town assessor or board of assessment review, and many successful challenges recover significant annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Steuben County

via CostByCounty

Steuben rents stay below national norm

Steuben County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% sits below the national average, indicating residents spend less of their income on housing than typical U.S. households. With median rent at $878 and household income of $64,740—roughly 13% below the national median—this county delivers solid affordability.

Below-average housing burden in New York

Steuben County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio beats New York's statewide average of 17.6%, positioning it among the more affordable counties in the state. The $878 median rent costs $255 less than the state typical, a meaningful difference for household budgets.

Middle ground among upstate peers

Steuben County's $878 rent falls between Tioga ($914) and St. Lawrence ($799), making it a moderate-cost option in the upstate cluster. Its 16.3% rent-to-income ratio compares favorably to Seneca (16.8%) and Tioga (15.3%), reflecting consistent regional affordability.

Balanced costs for renters and owners

Monthly rent averages $878 while homeownership costs $924—remarkably similar figures reflecting an accessible market for both paths. A median household income of $64,740 means residents dedicate about 16% of earnings to rent, leaving ample room for savings and living expenses.

Stable affordability in Steuben County

Steuben County combines sub-$900 median rent with a $129,000 median home value, making it accessible for both renters and first-time buyers. If you're relocating from higher-cost New York regions, this county offers 22% cheaper rent than the state average while maintaining competitive ownership costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Steuben County

via IncomeByCounty

Steuben income falls short nationally

Steuben County's median household income of $64,740 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 13%. While below the U.S. average, Steuben maintains solid middle-class earning power compared to the lowest-income rural counties.

Steuben ranks in lower third statewide

At $64,740, Steuben County sits in the lower third of New York's 62 counties, roughly $11,700 below the state median of $76,433. This reflects the county's mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and small-scale industry rather than high-wage urban employment.

Comparable to nearby Southern Tier peers

Steuben's $64,740 income sits between St. Lawrence County ($61,900) and Seneca County ($66,007), placing it squarely in the regional middle. Among Finger Lakes and Southern Tier neighbors, Steuben performs competitively but trails wealthier Hudson Valley counties.

Housing remains within reach

Steuben's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% signals affordable housing, with median home values at $128,600. This affordability cushion allows families to maintain financial stability despite income levels below state and national averages.

Investing in Steuben's financial future

A $64,740 median household income, paired with affordable housing, creates opportunity for strategic savings and investment. Steuben residents should focus on employer-sponsored retirement plans, local business ownership, and education investments to increase lifetime earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Steuben County

via HealthByCounty

Steuben life expectancy below U.S. benchmark

Steuben County residents live to 76.3 years on average, 2.8 years below the U.S. life expectancy of 79.1 years and 1.6 years below New York's state average of 77.9 years. However, only 14.9% report poor or fair health—a relatively encouraging sign compared to national and state averages.

Lower uninsured rate bolsters coverage strength

Steuben's 4.7% uninsured rate stands below New York's 5.3% average, meaning the county has better health insurance coverage than most of the state. Despite this coverage advantage, life expectancy remains below state average, pointing to broader health challenges beyond insurance access.

Healthcare providers outpace similar counties

Steuben's primary care provider density (56 per 100K) significantly exceeds nearby Seneca (27) and trails only Tompkins (80) and Suffolk (71) among regional peers. With 250 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Steuben offers solid mental health infrastructure.

Provider access enables routine preventive care

Steuben's 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents provide reasonable access for most routine care needs, supporting early detection and prevention. Strong insurance coverage (4.7% uninsured) means most residents can afford to use these services when needed.

Check coverage options today

If you lack health insurance or suspect your current plan could be improved, visit ny.gov/healthplan or call 1-855-355-5777 to explore affordable options and ensure continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Steuben County

via RiskByCounty

Steuben County's Mixed Risk Profile

Steuben County registers 76.88 with a Relatively Low rating, slightly above New York's state average of 69.42, reflecting moderate hazard exposure. The county faces particularly elevated flood (87.53) and hurricane (70.13) risks that warrant attention from residents.

Mid-Tier Risk in New York

With a score of 76.88, Steuben County ranks in the state's middle tier for natural disaster risk, facing greater exposure than counties like Seneca and Tioga. Its flood risk of 87.53 places it among New York's most flood-prone counties.

Similar Risk to Regional Peers

Steuben County's risk profile aligns closely with Sullivan County (78.28) and St. Lawrence County (77.89), all facing comparable multi-hazard exposure. However, Steuben's tornado risk (58.11) significantly exceeds these neighbors, creating a distinct risk signature.

Flooding and Tornadoes Pose Real Threats

Flood risk at 87.53 and tornado risk at 58.11 are Steuben County's most pressing hazards, with flood exposure significantly above the state average. Hurricane risk (70.13) adds another layer of vulnerability, particularly for southern-facing properties.

Flood and Wind Coverage Critical

Steuben County residents should prioritize flood insurance and verify that homeowners policies include robust wind coverage for hurricane and tornado protection. Older homes and properties in floodplains face compounded risk and may require additional structural reinforcement.

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.