CountyScore

Sullivan County

New Hampshire · NH

#4 in New Hampshire
58.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sullivan County, New Hampshire

Sullivan exceeds the national baseline

Sullivan County's composite score of 58.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by more than 8 points, placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally. This puts the county firmly in the upper half of American livability, with particular strength in housing affordability.

Right at New Hampshire's average

Sullivan's score of 58.2 matches almost perfectly with New Hampshire's state average of 58.3, ranking it solidly in the middle of the state's 10 counties. The county keeps pace with regional performance despite lower median household incomes.

Affordability and resilience stand out

Sullivan County leads on housing affordability with a cost score of 67.3, the strongest dimension in its profile—with median home values of $236,300 and rents of $1,159/month. The risk score of 62.5 is the county's second-best dimension, suggesting lower exposure to economic and environmental pressures.

Lower incomes and higher taxes

Sullivan's income score of just 32.9 reflects a median household income of $75,929, among the lowest in the state. The county also carries a higher effective tax rate of 2.38%, the steepest burden among comparable rural areas.

Perfect for budget-conscious, resilient households

Sullivan County is ideal for families and retirees seeking affordable housing and lower livability risks without top-tier wage opportunities. It rewards those who prioritize financial security and stability over income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax35.4Cost67.3SafetyComing SoonHealth76SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.9Risk62.5WaterComing Soon
🏛35.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.5
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 Sullivan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625
Chenango County
New York
58.2
Median income: $62,093
Niagara County
New York
58.2
Median income: $67,809
Richmond County
New York
58.2
Median income: $98,290
Northampton County
Pennsylvania
58.2
Median income: $86,687

Deep Dives

Sullivan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sullivan County

via TaxByCounty

Sullivan County's tax rate hits highest tier

Sullivan County's effective tax rate of 2.38% ranks among the highest in the nation, far exceeding the national median of 1.09%. Though the median property tax of $5,616 appears lower in absolute dollars, this reflects Sullivan's lower median home value of $236,300—below the national median of $281,900. The effective rate tells the true story: Sullivan residents pay a premium rate relative to home value.

Sullivan leads New Hampshire in tax rates

Sullivan County's 2.38% effective tax rate is the highest in New Hampshire, exceeding the state average of 1.85% by 0.53 percentage points. The median property tax of $5,616 sits just below the state median of $5,680, but the rate differential indicates Sullivan shoulders a heavier proportional burden. This makes Sullivan one of the most tax-intensive counties in the state.

Higher rate than eastern Strafford County

Sullivan County's 2.38% effective rate surpasses Strafford County's 1.98% by a significant margin, making it the higher-taxing county regionally. Sullivan homeowners pay $5,616 annually on a median home valued at $236,300, while Strafford homeowners pay $6,582 on a home valued $96,100 higher. The rate difference reflects distinct regional and municipal tax structures across southwestern New Hampshire.

What median homeowners pay annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $236,300 in Sullivan County pays approximately $5,616 in annual property taxes, or $468 monthly. Factoring in mortgage-related obligations increases the annual bill to $5,710 for those carrying a mortgage. This represents a steady, substantial cost for property ownership in the county.

Property tax appeals can lower your bill

Sullivan County residents should know that overassessment is common and a formal appeal to your town's assessor is a legitimate option. Many homeowners don't realize their assessed value may exceed actual market value—a strong case for filing an appeal. Review comparable property sales in your town, and consider requesting an assessment review if recent market data supports a lower value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sullivan County

via CostByCounty

Sullivan keeps housing costs down

Sullivan County renters spend just 18.3% of their median household income on rent, a respectable figure that's only slightly above the national affordability threshold. This western New Hampshire county offers one of the region's more favorable rent-to-income ratios for budget-conscious renters.

Sullivan beats New Hampshire average

At 18.3%, Sullivan's rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 17.7%, and its median rent of $1,159 stays $114 below New Hampshire's state median. Sullivan emerges as one of the state's more affordable corners for renters.

Sullivan undercuts Strafford County

Sullivan's $1,159 median rent is $254 cheaper than Strafford County's $1,413, and its median home value of $236,300 undercuts Strafford by $96,100. For renters and buyers alike, Sullivan delivers southwestern New Hampshire living at a notable discount.

Lower costs, tight budgets

Sullivan renters spend $1,159/month while homeowners pay $1,316/month against a median household income of $75,929. Housing consumes 18.3% of renter income and roughly 21% of owner income—lean figures that leave more room in the household budget.

Sullivan attracts value seekers

Sullivan County delivers the lowest housing costs in this comparison while maintaining median income just below the national average, making it ideal for relocators prioritizing affordability. If you're drawn to New England charm without the Seacoast premium, Sullivan's mountains and small towns offer measurable savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sullivan County

via IncomeByCounty

Sullivan keeps pace with national income

Sullivan County's median household income of $75,929 edges out the U.S. median of $74,755 by just $1,174, placing it in the moderate-income tier nationally. The county's economy relies on a mix of tourism, healthcare, and small manufacturing, typical of rural New England regions.

Sullivan ranks below New Hampshire average

At $75,929, Sullivan County trails the state median of $86,521 by 12.2 percent, ranking it among the lower-income counties in New Hampshire. This gap reflects the county's smaller job centers and dependence on lower-wage rural and seasonal employment.

Strafford County outearns Sullivan by 13.9%

Sullivan's median household income of $75,929 falls notably short of neighboring Strafford County's $86,564. This $10,600 difference highlights the economic divide between Sullivan's rural character and Strafford's more urbanized population centers with larger employers.

Housing affordability is Sullivan's strength

Sullivan County boasts the best rent-to-income ratio between the two counties at 18.3%, well below the 30% affordability benchmark. The median home value of $236,300 is also notably lower than Strafford, making homeownership more attainable despite the county's lower median income.

Leverage affordability to build savings

Sullivan County's lower housing costs create a genuine opportunity: residents can allocate more income toward savings and investment than peers in higher-cost regions. Even modest monthly contributions to a savings account or low-cost investment fund can compound into meaningful wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sullivan County

via HealthByCounty

Sullivan County life expectancy near U.S. average

Sullivan County residents live to an average age of 78.0 years, just barely above the U.S. life expectancy of 78.7 years despite being 0.3 years below New Hampshire's state average. However, 15.6% of Sullivan residents report being in poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 16.3%, reflecting a mixed health picture.

Sullivan ranks among lower-performing NH counties

Sullivan County has the lowest life expectancy of the two counties examined here at 78.0 years, trailing New Hampshire's state average of 78.3 years by 0.3 years. The county's uninsured rate of 7.0% exceeds the state average of 6.7%, indicating coverage challenges affecting roughly 2,800 residents.

Sullivan lags neighboring Strafford County

Sullivan County's life expectancy of 78.0 years falls short of Strafford's 77.6 years, and its uninsured rate of 7.0% significantly exceeds Strafford's 5.6%, suggesting Sullivan residents face greater barriers to health coverage and care. Primary care access in Sullivan is slightly stronger at 71 providers per 100,000 versus Strafford's 67, but mental health services are more scarce at 227 per 100,000 compared to Strafford's 330.

Mental health access is a key gap

Sullivan County has 71 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—adequate for routine care—but mental health providers number only 227 per 100,000, the lowest rate among these counties and below many state benchmarks. With a 7.0% uninsured rate, an estimated 2,800 Sullivan residents lack regular coverage, making mental health care and preventive services even harder to access.

Get covered—Sullivan has options

Sullivan County residents can enroll in the NH Health Plan Marketplace or explore federally qualified health centers that provide sliding-scale care regardless of insurance status. With 7% of the county uninsured, taking action now protects your health and can reduce the financial burden of unexpected illness or injury.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sullivan County

via RiskByCounty

Sullivan County enjoys very low national risk

Sullivan County's composite risk score of 37.56 earns it a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average exposure to natural disasters. This county represents one of the safer jurisdictions in the country when considering all hazard types combined.

New Hampshire's safest county by a significant margin

Sullivan County's score of 37.56 is dramatically lower than New Hampshire's state average of 69.89, making it the state's most protected county against natural disasters. This 32-point gap underscores Sullivan's exceptional advantage across nearly all hazard categories.

Significantly safer than adjacent Strafford County

Sullivan's composite risk of 37.56 stands nearly half that of neighboring Strafford County's 64.09—a substantial protective buffer. Sullivan benefits from lower exposure across all major hazards, particularly wildfire (13.74 vs. 34.51) and tornado risk (22.71 vs. 42.21).

Flood and hurricane risks deserve attention

Despite Sullivan's overall low-risk profile, flood (60.62) and hurricane (67.04) represent the county's most elevated hazards, though both remain below state averages. Wildfire (13.74) and tornado (22.71) risks are exceptionally low, reflecting the county's inland location and landscape characteristics.

Standard coverage typically sufficient for Sullivan

Sullivan County residents benefit from relatively modest disaster exposure, though flood insurance remains prudent for properties in flood zones along rivers and streams. Standard homeowners policies adequately cover most risks, but reviewing coverage limits ensures protection if major hurricanes or flooding events impact the region.

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.