CountyScore

Suffolk city

Virginia · VA

#119 in Virginia
61.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Suffolk city, Virginia

Suffolk modestly exceeds national median

Suffolk City scores 60.6 on the CountyScore composite index, above the national median of 50.0 but below Virginia's state average of 70.3. The city's mixed profile reflects moderate incomes offset by elevated housing costs typical of Hampton Roads growth areas.

Below Virginia's statewide performance

Suffolk City scores 60.6, trailing Virginia's state average of 70.3, indicating more constrained livability relative to peer Virginia communities. The city's proximity to naval installations and regional growth creates upward pressure on housing costs.

Moderate incomes with decent tax rates

Suffolk City scores 42.2 on income with a median household income of $90,089, reflecting solid military and logistics employment in the Hampton Roads region. A tax score of 76.0 and effective rate of 0.932% provide reasonable fiscal efficiency.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Suffolk City's cost score of 53.7 reflects median home values of $329,600 and monthly rents of $1,484, consuming excessive portions of even six-figure household incomes. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller evaluation.

Fits military families with portable income

Suffolk City appeals to active-duty military, veterans, and defense contractors earning $85,000–$105,000 who value naval proximity and stable employment. It's less suited to civilian earners without military ties, given housing cost pressures and limited livability relative to inland Virginia alternatives.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76Cost53.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.2Risk39.9WaterComing Soon
🏛76
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠53.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.9
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 Suffolk city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Knox County
Illinois
61.9
Median income: $53,291
Woodbury County
Iowa
61.9
Median income: $70,147
Jefferson County
New York
61.9
Median income: $64,978
Lebanon County
Pennsylvania
61.9
Median income: $76,350
Hansford County
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61.9
Median income: $68,299

Deep Dives

Suffolk city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Suffolk city

via TaxByCounty

Suffolk city taxes well above U.S. median

Suffolk city's effective tax rate of 0.932% significantly exceeds the national median property tax burden, representing one of Virginia's highest rates. On the national median home value of $281,900, this rate generates $2,627 in annual taxes—nearly matching the national median property tax of $2,690.

Highest rate among profiled Virginia cities

Suffolk city's 0.932% effective rate towers above Virginia's 0.671% state average by 39%, making it the most expensive jurisdiction profiled. The median property tax of $3,073 exceeds Virginia's state median of $1,960 by 57%, reflecting both a high rate and substantial home values around $329,600.

Significantly costlier than neighboring counties

Suffolk city's 0.932% rate vastly exceeds Southampton County's 0.661% and all southwestern Virginia counties, placing it among the state's priciest jurisdictions. This reflects Suffolk's status as a major urban port city and regional economic hub in southeastern Virginia, justifying higher municipal service costs.

Median Suffolk tax is $3,073 annually

On Suffolk city's median home value of $329,600, homeowners pay approximately $3,073 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $3,135; without one, it drops to $2,869—the highest annual bill among all profiled Virginia jurisdictions.

Review assessment; appeals save serious money

In high-tax cities like Suffolk, assessment accuracy is crucial—a 10% overvaluation on a $329,600 home costs $307 annually, or $3,070 over a decade. File a free appeal with Suffolk's assessor if your home's valuation seems high relative to comparable sales; the potential savings justify the effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Suffolk city

via CostByCounty

Suffolk's Affordability Squeeze

Suffolk city's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio stands among Virginia's highest, exceeding both national and state averages by a significant margin. With $1,484 monthly rent and $90,089 median household income, renters here face tighter housing affordability than most comparable communities nationwide.

Virginia's Tightest Affordability Ratio

Suffolk city's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among all profiled Virginia counties, exceeding the state average of 18.6% by a notable 1.2 percentage points. This tight squeeze reflects the city's position as a major port and military hub where housing demand outpaces supply.

Hampton Roads' Housing Crunch

Suffolk's 19.8% ratio significantly exceeds Southampton County's 16.3% just 40 miles away, illustrating the dramatic affordability differential within the same region. This gap reflects Suffolk's role as a major economic center with higher incomes ($90,089) but proportionally even higher housing costs.

Steep Housing Cost Burden

Renters in Suffolk spend $1,484 monthly while homeowners pay $1,803—a $319 gap reflecting the city's expensive ownership market with $329,600 median home values. Despite the $90,089 median income, both renting and ownership consume a larger percentage of household budgets than surrounding counties.

Suffolk: Premium Port City Pricing

Suffolk city commands Hampton Roads' steepest housing costs ($1,484 rents, $329,600 homes) and worst rent-to-income ratio at 19.8%, reflecting major employer concentration. Compare Suffolk's affordability challenge against nearby Southampton County and rural alternatives before committing to relocation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Suffolk city

via IncomeByCounty

Suffolk City exceeds national income benchmark

Suffolk's median household income of $90,089 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 20.5%, positioning the city comfortably above the national average. Households here earn approximately $15,334 more annually than typical American families, reflecting southeastern Virginia's economic strength.

Outperforms Virginia state average considerably

Suffolk earns $15,132 more than Virginia's state median of $74,957, ranking well above the state average despite its working-class port city heritage. The $45,135 per capita income exceeds the Virginia average by $5,980, signaling solid middle-class prosperity.

Southeast Virginia's strongest earner

Suffolk's $90,089 income significantly outpaces rural Southwest Virginia counties, matching or exceeding mid-tier earners across the state. Only Spotsylvania ($109,576) and Stafford ($133,792) surpass Suffolk, underscoring the city's economic importance as Hampton Roads' dominant municipality.

Housing affordability pressured by highest ratio

Suffolk's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest burden in this analysis, indicating tighter housing affordability despite strong income. A median home value of $329,600 requires significant savings capacity, though combined household incomes and favorable financing can make homeownership realistic.

Solid income supports diversified wealth strategies

Suffolk residents with $90,089 median household income can pursue balanced wealth-building despite slightly elevated housing costs. Consider real estate investment in the growing Hampton Roads region, diversified stock portfolios, and business ownership opportunities in one of Virginia's major economic engines.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Suffolk city

via HealthByCounty

Suffolk Approaches National Health Standards

Suffolk's 75.4-year life expectancy nears the U.S. average of 78.9 years, though still 3.5 years behind. With 17.4% reporting poor or fair health, the city slightly exceeds the national rate of 16%, suggesting generally solid community wellness.

Just Above Virginia's State Average

Suffolk's 75.4-year life expectancy marginally exceeds Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 0.3 years. The 17.4% poor health rate aligns with state patterns, positioning Suffolk in the middle tier of Virginia's municipalities.

Strong Provider Access Across the Region

Suffolk's 75.4-year life expectancy matches Southampton County (75.3 years) and exceeds Scott County (73.4 years) by 2 years. At 77 primary care providers per 100K, Suffolk offers the densest primary care network among peer counties.

Best-in-Class Primary Care; Strong Coverage

Suffolk's 6.4% uninsured rate is among Virginia's lowest, meaning 94% of residents carry health insurance. The city's 77 primary care providers per 100K lead the region, while 176 mental health providers per 100K ensure robust specialty care access.

Maximize Your Healthcare Coverage

Suffolk residents should review annual insurance options at healthcare.gov to maintain affordable coverage. With abundant providers in the city, securing insurance ensures seamless access to the healthcare resources available in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Suffolk city

via RiskByCounty

Suffolk faces substantial national risk

Suffolk city scores 60.11 with a Relatively Low rating, running nearly 27 points above Virginia's state average of 33.27. The elevation reflects multiple concurrent hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and significant wildfire exposure.

Among Virginia's highest-risk jurisdictions

Suffolk city ranks in Virginia's top tier of disaster risk at 60.11, placing it among the Commonwealth's most exposed municipalities. The coastal-adjacent, low-lying geography concentrates multiple weather-driven vulnerabilities.

Riskiest in southeastern Virginia

Suffolk city's 60.11 score significantly exceeds Southampton County (29.80), the region's safest county, highlighting how urban concentration and geography amplify risk. Suffolk's tornado risk (55.73) and wildfire exposure (55.60) dwarf rural Southampton's equivalent scores.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding converge

Hurricane risk at 88.19 dominates Suffolk's hazard landscape—among Virginia's highest—followed closely by tornado risk (55.73) and flood risk (61.00). Wildfire exposure at 55.60 adds a fourth significant concern, while earthquake risk remains moderate at 53.98.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Suffolk homeowners must ensure wind and hail protection given the exceptional 88.19 hurricane risk score; this is the city's primary insurance priority. Flood insurance is equally critical at 61.00 flood risk—verify coverage before hurricane season, particularly for properties in low-lying areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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