countyscore
53.5
County Score
Property Tax 96.3Income & Jobs 92.2Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Storey County, Nevada

Above the National Average

Storey County's composite score of 53.9 places it above the national median of 50.0. Its unique economic engine helps it maintain a standard of living higher than many American counties.

Stronger than State Average

Storey County outperforms the Nevada average of 48.2. Its ability to generate high incomes while maintaining low taxes makes it a standout performer in the Silver State.

Exceptional Income and Low Taxes

The county boasts a phenomenal income score of 94.2, driven by a median household income of $96,000. It combines this wealth with a tax score of 93.9, the highest in our study.

Costly Housing and Safety Issues

Affordability is the main hurdle, with a cost score of 20.1 and home values near $393,100. Safety also lags behind with a score of 25.6, suggesting a need for more community investment.

The High-Earner's Haven

This county is ideal for high-income earners who want to maximize their take-home pay through extremely low taxes. It suits those who can afford premium housing in exchange for financial efficiency.

2040608010096.316.925.663.860.392.274.98659.9Tax96.3Cost16.9Safety25.6Health63.8Schools60.3Income92.2Risk74.9Water86Weather59.953.5/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Storey County DNA

Foverall

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

Storey County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (96.3/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (16.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
96.3+44.3
Cost
16.9-31.1
Safety
25.6-29.4
Health
63.8+13.799999999999997
Schools
60.3
Income
92.2+41.2
Risk
74.9+27.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
59.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Storey County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$426,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,153/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$426,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$46,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $93,409/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

265.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Storey County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Storey County

via TaxByCounty

Storey County offers exceptional tax advantages

At 0.401% effective rate, Storey County ranks among the lowest-taxed counties in America, charging just 23% of the national median rate. The median tax of $1,578 remains below the national median of $2,690 despite having the state's highest median home value of $393,100.

Nevada's lowest effective tax rate

Storey County's 0.401% effective rate is Nevada's lowest among all 16 counties, running 24% below the state average of 0.525%. The median tax of $1,578 exceeds the state median of $1,443 only due to Storey's premium home valuations of $393,100.

Storey significantly undercuts Washoe County rates

Storey County's 0.401% rate edges below Washoe County's 0.463%, offering superior tax savings despite neighboring Washoe's larger population base. Storey homes command higher prices at $393,100 versus Washoe's $496,600, yet still cost less to tax.

Median Storey home costs $1,578 yearly

On the county's median home value of $393,100, property owners pay an estimated $1,578 in annual taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage can expect roughly $1,643 annually, while those without pay closer to $1,509.

Even Storey homeowners should verify assessments

Despite Storey County's favorable tax climate, property owners should ensure valuations match current market conditions. If your home's assessment appears inflated, a formal appeal could secure additional savings on your already-competitive tax bill.

Income & Jobs in Storey County

via IncomeByCounty

Storey dominates national ranking

Storey County's median household income of $96,000 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 28%, making it one of the nation's strongest-performing rural counties. This premium reflects Storey's proximity to economic centers and concentration of high-wage jobs.

Highest income in Nevada

At $96,000, Storey ranks first among Nevada's eight counties, running $20,794 ahead of the state average of $75,206. The county is Nevada's clear income leader among its rural peer group.

Storey far outpaces all peers

Storey's $96,000 dominates nearby counties: Washoe ($85,600), Lander ($84,474), and Lyon ($73,460) all trail significantly. The income advantage reflects Storey's role as a high-value industrial and manufacturing hub.

High income, high home values

Storey's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% indicates strong housing affordability despite a median home value of $393,100. High incomes easily absorb housing costs, providing residents exceptional financial security.

Invest Storey's income surplus

With income 28% above national average and low housing burden, Storey residents enjoy rare opportunity to build substantial wealth. Maximize retirement savings, diversify investments, and consider real estate or business ventures to leverage your county's economic strength.

Safety in Storey County

via CrimeByCounty

Storey County Beats National Crime Benchmarks

Storey County earns a safety score of 97.1, reflecting a crime rate of 1,831.5 per 100K. This rate is comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5 crimes per 100K.

Safety Score Close to State Average

Storey's safety score of 97.1 is just below the Nevada state average of 97.5. However, its total crime rate of 1,831.5 is higher than the state average of 1,555.1.

Safer Than Neighboring Washoe County

Storey County is safer than neighboring Washoe County, where crime rates reach 2,685.6. However, it reports more crime than nearby Lyon County, which sits at 1,139.0 per 100K.

Property Crime Outpaces Violent Incidents

Violent crime in Storey County is 415.1 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime, at 1,416.4 per 100K, makes up the largest portion of local incidents.

Prioritize Perimeter Security in Storey

With property crime being the most frequent issue, securing your perimeter is key. Simple measures like high-quality locks and perimeter lighting help keep your home and family safe.

Weather & Climate in Storey County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler and Significant Snowfall

Storey County is notably cooler than the national median with an annual average of 50.6°F. It is one of the snowiest regions in the area, averaging 46.4 inches of snow per year.

Nevada's Cool, Snowy Exception

Storey is significantly cooler than the 52.0°F state average and wetter than the 8.6-inch state precip average. It avoids much of Nevada's famous heat, recording only 10 days above 90°F.

Wetter Than Nearby Valleys

Compared to Lyon County, Storey receives over double the annual precipitation and 22 times more snow. It is also much cooler in the summer than neighboring Washoe County.

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

The county experiences only 10 days of extreme heat, with a comfortable July average of 72.6°F. Winters are heavy with 46.4 inches of snow and a 34.4°F average from December to February.

Invest in Snow Removal

Four-wheel drive and professional snow removal tools are essential for the 46.4-inch annual snowfall. Summer cooling needs are minimal compared to the rest of the state, but winter gear is a must.

Soil Quality in Storey County

via SoilByCounty

Storey County Soil Profile

Soil pH and taxonomic classifications for Storey County are not currently in the national record. The national median pH of 6.5 serves as a benchmark, but local mountain soils can vary wildly. Determining your soil's identity is the first step toward better land stewardship.

Storey County Soil Texture

Specific data on sand, silt, and clay percentages is currently unavailable for this region. These texture ratios dictate the drainage and workability of your land. Conducting a home soil test will help you understand the unique makeup of your property.

Improving Growing Potential

Organic matter and available water capacity data are limited compared to the 2.0% national organic average. In Storey County's terrain, building up the topsoil with compost is essential for plant health. Targeted amendments will help your garden survive the dry Nevada summers.

Hydrology and Runoff Management

Official drainage classes and hydrologic groups have not been established for Storey County. This data gap makes it important for homeowners to conduct their own drainage assessments. Proper site prep is necessary to manage water in this rugged landscape.

Garden Success in Zone 7b

Storey County is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, offering a favorable climate for many herbs and vegetables. Lavender, sage, and hardy tomatoes perform well in this mountain environment. It is time to plant your roots and watch your high-altitude garden thrive.

Lawn Care in Storey County

via LawnByCounty

Storey County's Surprising Lawn Success

Storey County is a rare Nevada gem with a lawn difficulty score of 54.9, beating both the state and national averages. At nearly 20 points higher than the state average of 34.4, this is one of the easiest places in Nevada to maintain a lawn. The Zone 7b climate here is much more forgiving than the surrounding desert.

Mild Summers and Higher Rainfall

With 11.7 inches of annual precipitation, Storey County is wetter than the state average of 8.6 inches. It also enjoys a much cooler summer, with only 10 extreme heat days compared to the Nevada average of 57. This temperate profile significantly reduces the water stress and maintenance burden on your turf.

Optimizing Your Soil Foundation

While specific soil statistics are not available, the cooler and wetter climate suggests better potential for organic matter than in lower desert areas. You should still test for pH to ensure you are near the 6.0-7.0 sweet spot for grass health. Focus on ensuring your soil is well-aerated to take advantage of the 11.7 inches of rain.

Maintaining a High Resilience Score

Storey County only faced 13 weeks of drought in the past year, the lowest in this group. With 0% of the area currently in any drought category, you have a distinct advantage in maintaining a lush green space. Even so, using drought-tolerant grass varieties will ensure your lawn stays green during rare dry spells.

Leveraging a Long Growing Season

Zone 7b supports a wide variety of grasses, including Turf-Type Tall Fescue which handles both sun and shade. Your growing window spans from the last frost on May 12 to the first frost on October 17. Take advantage of the mild 72.6°F July temperatures to establish a thick, healthy lawn that will be the envy of the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Storey County's county score?
Storey County, Nevada has a composite county score of 53.5 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 Storey County rank among counties in Nevada?
Storey County ranks #5 among all counties in Nevada 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 Storey County, Nevada?
The median annual property tax in Storey County is $1,450, with an effective tax rate of 0.34%. This earns Storey County a tax score of 96.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Storey County?
The median household income in Storey County, Nevada is $93,409 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Storey County earns an income score of 92.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Storey County, Nevada a good place to live?
Storey County scores 53.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Nevada. The best way to evaluate Storey 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 Storey County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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