CountyScore

Sullivan County

New York · NY

#41 in New York
56.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Sullivan County, New York

Sullivan Holds its Ground Nationally

Sullivan County scores 54.8 on the composite index, slightly above the national median of 50.0 and placing it firmly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This solid score reflects an acceptable balance of costs and taxes for a Hudson Valley county.

Keeps Pace With New York Average

Sullivan's composite score of 54.8 nearly matches New York's state average of 54.7, making it a representative county that performs neither notably better nor worse than the state norm. It holds steady among its state peers without standing out.

Reasonable Affordability Zone

Sullivan offers a cost score of 71.2 with a median home value of $234,800 and monthly rent of $999, striking a middle ground between rural affordability and suburban expense. For the Hudson Valley region, these prices offer reasonable entry points for middle-income families.

Modest Incomes Limit Gains

Sullivan's income score of 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,826, which is respectable but modest compared to wealthier suburban counties nearby. Tax score of 41.4 is middling, and data on safety, health, and schools is still being collected.

Practical Choice For Middle Class

Sullivan County suits middle-income families and retirees seeking reasonable housing costs and rural-suburban character without premium metropolitan pricing. It offers a comfortable, pragmatic lifestyle for those who value outdoor access and village communities over high-earning job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax41.4Cost71.2SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29Risk21.7WaterComing Soon
🏛41.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.7
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

Champaign County
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56.8
Median income: $63,091
Wyandotte County
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56.8
Median income: $60,582
Douglas County
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56.8
Median income: $79,081
Maverick County
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56.8
Median income: $51,270
Uvalde County
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Median income: $57,849

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 taxes slightly below national norm

Sullivan County's effective tax rate of 2.164% sits just below the national median of 2.09%, placing it in the 48th percentile nationally. Its median property tax of $5,082 is almost double the national median of $2,690, reflecting home values that average $234,800—well above the national figure.

Close to New York's statewide average

Sullivan's effective rate of 2.164% aligns closely with New York's state average of 2.046%, making it representative of typical state tax burdens. The median tax of $5,082 falls between the state median of $4,709 and the values in higher-priced counties like Tompkins and Ulster.

Middle ground among Hudson Valley peers

Sullivan's 2.164% rate sits between Ulster County's lower 1.944% and the upstate counties like Steuben (2.523%) and Tioga (2.448%). Its $5,082 median tax bill positions it as a moderate-cost Hudson Valley option, pricier than upstate but cheaper than affluent Long Island.

Annual tax on typical Sullivan home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $234,800 pays approximately $5,082 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $5,485; without one, it drops to $4,639.

Appeal your assessment if unsure

Sullivan County property values are rising, and assessments don't always keep pace fairly. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales of similar properties in your town, you can file a free appeal—many homeowners recover hundreds or thousands in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sullivan County

via CostByCounty

Sullivan: Near-average housing burden

Sullivan County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% aligns closely with the national average, though median income of $69,826 trails the U.S. median by $4,929. At $999 per month, median rent reflects a rural-leaning county with moderate pricing for the region.

Slightly above state affordability norm

Sullivan County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio inches above New York's statewide 17.6% average, placing it nearly at parity with state conditions. The $999 median rent runs $134 below the state typical of $1,133, offering modest savings relative to the broader housing market.

Mid-range pricing in Hudson Valley area

Sullivan County's $999 rent sits between upstate affordables (Seneca at $925) and pricier Hudson Valley neighbors (Ulster at $1,335), reflecting its transitional location. Its 17.2% ratio positions it as slightly more affordable than Ulster (19.6%) but pricier than nearby Tioga (15.3%).

Ownership drives higher housing costs

Renters pay $999 monthly, but homeowners face significantly higher costs at $1,256—a $257 gap reflecting Sullivan's mixed market dynamics. With median household income of $69,826, renters allocate 17.2% to housing while owners commit 21.5%, showing ownership requires careful budgeting.

Sullivan balances rural and accessible

Sullivan County offers a middle path between expensive Hudson Valley counties and cheaper upstate regions, with median rent at $999 and homes averaging $235,000. If you seek mountain scenery with manageable housing costs and proximity to New York City amenities, Sullivan provides reasonable value without extreme affordability tradeoffs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sullivan County

via IncomeByCounty

Sullivan slightly trails national earnings

Sullivan County's median household income of $69,826 falls about 7% below the national median of $74,755. While below the U.S. average, Sullivan demonstrates stronger earning capacity than most rural upstate counties.

Sullivan ranks below state average

At $69,826, Sullivan County falls below the New York state median of $76,433 by roughly $6,600, placing it in the lower-middle range of the state's 62 counties. The county benefits from Hudson Valley proximity and tourism, which support moderate income levels.

Mid-range among regional peers

Sullivan's $69,826 income positions it between Seneca County ($66,007) and Ulster County ($81,804), making it a middle earner in the Hudson Valley region. The county outpaces isolated rural counties but trails wealthier Westchester and Orange County communities.

Housing costs rising, ratio moderate

Sullivan County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% remains healthy, though median home values of $234,800 reflect its appeal as an accessible Hudson Valley destination. Families here enjoy reasonable housing affordability relative to income, though prices have climbed steadily.

Building financial resilience in Sullivan

Sullivan's $69,826 median income provides a foundation for strategic savings, especially given moderate housing costs. Residents should prioritize retirement account contributions, explore local entrepreneurial opportunities, and consider home equity as a long-term wealth-building tool.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sullivan County

via HealthByCounty

Sullivan County faces significant health gaps

Sullivan County residents live to just 76.1 years—3 years below the U.S. average of 79.1 and 1.8 years below New York's state average of 77.9 years. At 17%, nearly one in six residents report poor or fair health, above both state and national benchmarks.

Among lowest-ranked counties statewide

Sullivan ranks among New York's lowest-performing counties for life expectancy and health status. The county's 6% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 5.3%, compounding access barriers.

Weakest provider access among peers

Sullivan's 76.1-year life expectancy is the lowest among neighboring upstate counties, falling behind Steuben (76.3), St. Lawrence (76.8), and significantly behind Tioga (78.6) and Tompkins (80.9). With only 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Sullivan has the fewest in its immediate region.

Provider shortage limits health access

Sullivan residents face the region's tightest primary care access, with just 33 providers per 100,000 people—less than half the density in leading counties like Tompkins (80). Combined with a 6% uninsured rate, these gaps create real barriers to preventive and routine care.

Bridge the coverage and care gap

If you're uninsured or underinsured in Sullivan, don't delay—visit ny.gov/healthplan or call 1-855-355-5777 today to find affordable coverage and take the first step toward better health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sullivan County

via RiskByCounty

Sullivan County's Moderate Risk Exposure

Sullivan County scores 78.28 with a Relatively Low rating, slightly exceeding New York's state average of 69.42 by about 9 points. The county faces moderate-to-elevated risk across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes.

Above-Average Risk for New York

With a composite score of 78.28, Sullivan County ranks in the state's moderate-risk tier, outpaced only by Suffolk County and Ulster County. Its tornado risk (71.34) and hurricane risk (79.18) significantly exceed statewide norms, reflecting the county's positioning in New York's variable hazard landscape.

Comparable Risk to Regional Counties

Sullivan County's 78.28 score places it very close to St. Lawrence County (77.89) and Steuben County (76.88), though its tornado exposure is notably higher. Ulster County (87.69) remains the region's riskiest, while Seneca and Tioga counties are significantly safer.

Tornadoes and Hurricanes Dominate

Tornado risk at 71.34 and hurricane risk at 79.18 are Sullivan County's primary concerns, both substantially above state averages. Flood risk (86.61) and earthquake risk (68.32) add additional layers of vulnerability across the county's diverse landscape.

Secure Wind and Flood Coverage

Sullivan County homeowners should prioritize tornado and hurricane wind protection in their insurance policies, plus comprehensive flood coverage for properties near water bodies. Older homes and mobile structures face heightened vulnerability and benefit from 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.