CountyScore

Sullivan County

Pennsylvania · PA

#2 in Pennsylvania
72.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Sullivan beats the national median

Sullivan County's composite score of 71.9 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This 44% advantage over the national baseline signals a county with solid fundamentals across measurable dimensions of livability.

Leading the pack in Pennsylvania

Sullivan ranks above the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, claiming a clear position among the state's more livable counties. Its 5.9-point advantage reflects consistent strength in affordability and tax burden relative to other parts of the state.

Affordability and low taxes shine

Sullivan excels in cost of living, with a cost score of 82.8 and median home values at $186,400—making it genuinely affordable for working families. The effective tax rate of 1.051% is among the lowest around, paired with median rents of just $781/month, creating a compelling case for budget-conscious residents.

Income growth lags behind

The income score of 25.7 signals that wage and salary levels remain modest, with a median household income of $64,758. Data on health, education, safety, and environmental quality is not yet available, limiting our full picture of livability.

Ideal for cost-conscious families

Sullivan County suits retirees, young families on tight budgets, and remote workers seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-tax environment. The strong affordability foundation makes it attractive to those prioritizing housing costs and tax burden over higher wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.7Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk89.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.3
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

Heard County
Georgia
72.4
Median income: $62,907
Minidoka County
Idaho
72.4
Median income: $70,060
Pocahontas County
Iowa
72.4
Median income: $63,423
Hickman County
Kentucky
72.4
Median income: $63,750
Baraga County
Michigan
72.4
Median income: $55,117

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's Tax Rate Beats National Average

Sullivan County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 1.051%, well below the national median of 1.281% and among the lowest in the nation. At $1,959 in median annual property taxes, residents here pay $731 less than the national median of $2,690, placing the county in the bottom quarter nationally for tax burden.

Lowest Taxes Among Pennsylvania Counties

Sullivan has the lowest effective tax rate of any Pennsylvania county at 1.051%, compared to the state average of 1.317%. The county's median property tax of $1,959 is 26% below Pennsylvania's average of $2,657, making it the most tax-friendly county in the state.

Significantly Lower Than Regional Peers

Sullivan's 1.051% rate undercuts every neighboring county in the northeastern region, including Susquehanna (1.148%) and Tioga (1.189%). Homeowners save roughly $350–$400 annually compared to adjacent counties with similar home values.

Median Home, Modest Tax Bill

A typical Sullivan County home valued at $186,400 generates $1,959 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, the annual bill rises to $2,090, but without them, it drops to $1,845—among the lowest in Pennsylvania.

Even Low Bills Warrant Assessment Review

Many Sullivan County homeowners are still overassessed relative to comparable properties and current market values. Filing a property tax appeal takes little time and costs nothing—potentially unlocking valuable refunds or future savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sullivan County

via CostByCounty

Sullivan's Rent Affordability Advantage

Sullivan County renters spend just 14.5% of their income on rent, well below the national norm and significantly better than Pennsylvania's 16.5% average. This makes the county one of Pennsylvania's most affordable rental markets, despite incomes running slightly below the national median of $74,755.

A Rare Bright Spot in PA Housing

Sullivan ranks among Pennsylvania's most affordable counties for renters, with a 14.5% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 2 percentage points. At $781 monthly rent versus Pennsylvania's $960 average, renters here keep more money in their pockets for other essentials.

Cheapest Rents in Northeast PA

Sullivan's $781 monthly rent undercuts nearby Tioga County ($850) and Susquehanna County ($913), making it the region's most accessible rental market. Homeowners also enjoy lower costs here at $766/month compared to neighbors like Union County at $1,057/month.

Sullivan: Rent and Mortgage Breakdown

On a median income of $64,758, Sullivan County residents allocate roughly 14.5% to rent ($781/month) and similar percentages to mortgage payments ($766/month). This balanced affordability means households can dedicate substantial income to savings, healthcare, and other priorities.

Consider Sullivan for Affordable Living

If housing costs are pinching your budget, Sullivan County offers Pennsylvania's most competitive rental rates paired with reasonable home values around $186,400. Compare these figures to your current housing expenses—you might find Sullivan's combination of affordability and lower density living worth the move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sullivan County

via IncomeByCounty

Sullivan trails national income median

Sullivan County's median household income of $64,758 sits 13% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap means a typical Sullivan household earns roughly $10,000 less annually than average American households, narrowing economic flexibility for savings and major purchases.

Below-average earnings within Pennsylvania

Sullivan's $64,758 median falls $4,856 short of Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, ranking the county in the lower half statewide. However, Sullivan's per capita income of $38,338 exceeds the state average of $37,407, suggesting more balanced income distribution across the population.

Middle-income county in rural northeast

Sullivan earns more than neighboring Tioga ($62,932) and Venango ($61,626) counties but less than adjacent Susquehanna ($66,930) and Union ($72,894). Among this cluster of rural northeastern Pennsylvania counties, Sullivan ranks fourth—competitive but not leading in household earnings.

Rent remains manageable for most

A 14.5% rent-to-income ratio signals healthy affordability; the common benchmark is 30%, and Sullivan sits well below that threshold. With a median home value of $186,400 and solid rental costs, households here maintain reasonable housing security relative to income.

Build savings despite income gaps

Sullivan households earning below-national-average incomes can still build wealth by prioritizing emergency savings and affordable retirement accounts like IRAs. With lower housing cost burden (14.5% of income), residents have breathing room to invest in long-term financial security and skill development that raises earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sullivan County

via HealthByCounty

Sullivan County's Health Falls Behind National Average

Sullivan County residents live to an average age of 76.2 years, trailing the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years by nearly three years. One in five Sullivan County residents (21.8%) report poor or fair health, a concerning indicator that outpaces national health satisfaction trends. These gaps suggest underlying healthcare and wellness challenges that deserve attention.

Slightly Below Pennsylvania's Health Benchmark

At 76.2 years, Sullivan County's life expectancy sits just 0.2 years below Pennsylvania's state average of 76.4 years, placing it in the middle tier of state health outcomes. The county's 21.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state picture, signaling health management challenges despite comparable life span. This suggests residents may be living longer but reporting lower overall health quality.

Mental Health Access Among the Lowest

Sullivan County has just 17 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, far below neighboring Tioga County's 147 and Susquehanna County's 81 providers per capita. With limited mental health infrastructure, residents seeking behavioral health services face geographic and availability barriers compared to surrounding counties. This gap highlights a critical access disparity in the region.

One in Twelve Residents Lack Insurance

Sullivan County's 8.1% uninsured rate surpasses Pennsylvania's state average of 7.0%, meaning roughly one in twelve residents navigate healthcare without coverage. Primary care provider data is unavailable for detailed analysis, but the combination of higher uninsured rates and limited mental health capacity suggests healthcare access remains a daily challenge for many. Residents without insurance face higher out-of-pocket costs and delayed care.

Explore Your Health Insurance Options Today

With 8.1% of Sullivan County uninsured, exploring coverage options through the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Marketplace or community health programs could improve access to affordable care. Whether you're self-employed, between jobs, or managing a family, understanding your options takes just minutes online. Contact local health departments or visit healthcare.gov to find plans that fit your needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sullivan County

via RiskByCounty

Sullivan County's low national disaster risk

Sullivan County ranks as very low risk nationally with a composite score of 10.72, placing it well below the U.S. average. This county experiences significantly less natural disaster exposure than most American communities, making it one of Pennsylvania's safest counties for weather and geological events.

Safest county in Pennsylvania

Sullivan County's composite risk score of 10.72 is substantially lower than Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, ranking it as the lowest-risk county in the state. This 84% reduction in risk compared to state peers reflects the county's geographic protection from major hazard zones.

Well protected compared to neighbors

Sullivan County's score of 10.72 contrasts sharply with neighboring Susquehanna County (53.59) and Tioga County (59.76), both of which face substantially higher flood and tornado risks. As the safest county in this region, Sullivan offers residents notably greater natural disaster resilience than surrounding communities.

Hurricane and earthquake pose modest threats

Sullivan County's main natural hazards are hurricane risk (58.95) and earthquake risk (24.46), though both remain relatively mild compared to state averages. Flood risk (37.37) and tornado risk (12.15) present minimal concerns, making the county exceptionally well-positioned for weather safety.

Basic coverage protects your property

While Sullivan County's overall risk is very low, homeowners should maintain standard property insurance for the modest hurricane and earthquake exposure. Even in low-risk counties, comprehensive coverage ensures financial protection against unexpected natural events.

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.