CountyScore

Summit County

Ohio · OH

#82 in Ohio
60.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Summit County, Ohio

Summit exceeds national livability, but trails peers

Summit County's composite score of 62.6 clearly outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking in the upper-middle tier of American counties. However, it ranks lowest among these eight Ohio counties, reflecting distinct trade-offs.

Below average for Ohio despite urban assets

Summit's score of 62.6 falls notably short of Ohio's state average of 68.8, marking the weakest performance in this group. Higher costs and taxes in the Akron region diminish its overall livability score.

Strong incomes support quality of life

Summit's income score of 29.7 and median household income of $71,016 reflect a educated, professional population with solid earning power. This economic strength underpins access to urban services and cultural amenities unavailable in smaller counties.

Higher taxes and housing costs bite significantly

Summit's tax score of 58.9—lowest in the group—reflects an effective tax rate of 1.542%, while housing costs reach $998/month rent and $195,700 home values. These expenses consume a larger share of household budgets, offsetting income advantages.

Best for urban professionals valuing amenities

Summit County suits higher-earning professionals and families who prioritize city living, cultural institutions, and job diversity over maximum affordability. It's ideal for those willing to pay more for urban infrastructure and educated communities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.9Cost73.6SafetyComing SoonHealth72.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk8.8WaterComing Soon
🏛58.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.8
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 Summit County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Erath County
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Hood County
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Deep Dives

Summit County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Summit County

via TaxByCounty

Summit's taxes rank well above average

Summit County's 1.542% effective tax rate is 54% above the national median, placing it in the upper 10% of counties nationally. The median property tax bill of $3,018 exceeds the national median by 12%, reflecting Summit's high-tax county status.

Ohio's highest-tax major county

At 1.542%, Summit County has the highest effective tax rate among major Ohio counties, dramatically exceeding the state average of 1.148%. Summit residents shoulder substantially greater tax burdens than most Ohioans elsewhere in the state.

Dramatically exceeds all regional peers

Summit's 1.542% rate far outpaces Stark County (1.318%), Trumbull County (1.410%), and Union County (1.255%), making it the regional tax leader by a significant margin. Even with a moderate median home value of $195,700, the high rate produces the highest median tax bills in the region.

What $195,700 home costs annually

The median Summit County home valued at $195,700 carries an annual property tax of approximately $3,018, the highest in this regional comparison. With mortgage obligations, homeowners typically pay about $3,162 annually.

Aggressive appeals pay off in Summit

Given Summit's high tax rates, assessment appeals represent a significant financial opportunity for homeowners. Overassessments are particularly costly here, and successful appeals can recover substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Summit County

via CostByCounty

Summit bears Ohio's highest rent burden

Summit County renters spend 16.9% of household income on housing—the highest ratio among these eight counties and notably above Ohio's 15.6% state average. With a median rent of $998/month on a $71,016 median income, the county's urban-core pricing creates real affordability stress even for above-average earners.

Priciest county among peers

Summit's $998 median rent ranks well above Ohio's $873 state average, and its 16.9% rent-to-income ratio confirms it's among the state's most expensive housing markets. The premium reflects Summit's role as Ohio's second-largest metro area, home to Akron's corporate headquarters and regional job hub.

Summit commands region's highest rents

At $998/month, Summit's median rent far exceeds nearby Stark ($877), Trumbull ($783), and Tuscarawas ($876) counties, with only Union County ($1,188) commanding higher prices. This gap reflects Summit's urban density and concentration of professional jobs, which attract tenants willing to pay premium rates.

Urban costs carve into budgets

Summit renters earn $5,918/month and commit $998 to housing—16.9% of gross income—leaving less cushion for debt, savings, or emergencies than surrounding counties. Homeowners pay $1,099/month on $195,700 median homes, pricing out households earning under $65,000 from ownership without significant down payment assistance.

Summit rewards high earners seeking jobs

If your income exceeds $80,000 or you're relocating for a major corporate job, Summit's urban job market and amenities justify the premium rent. But families earning below $70,000 should explore Stark or Tuscarawas counties just 20–30 miles away for significantly lower housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Summit County

via IncomeByCounty

Summit approaches national income parity

Summit County's median household income of $71,016 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just $3,739—a mere 5% gap. This positions Summit among Ohio's stronger-earning counties and in the upper-middle income tier nationally.

Summit ranks solidly above Ohio average

At $71,016, Summit's median income exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by $2,915. The county ranks in Ohio's top quartile for household earnings, reflecting its diverse economy anchored by healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

Competitive with region's strongest earners

Summit ($71,016) nearly matches Shelby ($72,822) and significantly outearns Stark ($65,740), Seneca ($65,020), and Trumbull ($55,088). As Akron's home, Summit benefits from institutional anchors like the University of Akron and major hospitals.

Housing affordable despite higher home values

Summit's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% remains comfortable, even with a median home value of $195,700. The county balances higher property costs with sufficient incomes, creating solid opportunities for homeownership and equity accumulation.

Leverage higher incomes for aggressive investing

Summit's $71,016 median income supports diversified wealth strategies—maxing retirement contributions, funding education savings, and building investment portfolios. With strong institutional presence, residents should explore employer benefits and professional financial planning for optimal wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Summit County

via HealthByCounty

Summit County leads Ohio health metrics

At 75.3 years, Summit County's life expectancy surpasses Ohio's state average of 74.8 years and ranks among Ohio's highest, though it remains roughly 3.6 years below the national average. Only 17.7% of residents report poor or fair health, substantially below both state and national averages.

Summit ranks among state's healthiest

Summit County places in Ohio's top quartile for life expectancy at 75.3 years and has the fourth-lowest poor/fair health rate statewide at 17.7%. The county's strong performance signals well-developed healthcare infrastructure and higher population wellness.

Northeast Ohio's health leader

Summit's 75.3-year life expectancy edges out Stark County (75.1 years) and significantly exceeds Trumbull County (73.5 years) in northeast Ohio. The county's 17.7% poor/fair health rate is substantially lower than nearby Portage County and Mahoning County, establishing it as the region's health hub.

Excellent primary and mental health access

Summit County offers 98 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among peer counties—ensuring strong routine care access. With 380 mental health providers per 100K and a 6.6% uninsured rate, the county provides comprehensive healthcare coverage and services.

Maintain your health insurance

Summit County's low 6.6% uninsured rate reflects strong coverage, but all residents should confirm their plans annually at Healthcare.gov or through Ohio's health marketplace.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Summit County

via RiskByCounty

Summit faces severe above-average risk

Summit County's composite risk score of 91.16 places it in the relatively moderate category and ranks among the highest-risk counties in the nation. This exceptional score reflects major exposure to floods, tornadoes, and other hazards.

Ohio's highest-risk county overall

Summit County's 91.16 score is the highest in Ohio, far exceeding the state average of 55.03 and surpassing all other counties in the state. Residents face exposure levels comparable only to the most hazard-prone American counties.

Summit's risks dwarf nearby counties

Summit's 91.16 score is substantially higher than neighboring Stark (87.95), Trumbull (84.48), and Tuscarawas (69.02), making it the clear risk leader in its region. This elevated profile affects home values, insurance costs, and emergency preparedness priorities.

Flood and tornado hazards extreme

Summit County faces extraordinary flood risk (94.02—the highest among these eight counties) and severe tornado risk (91.13), creating a dangerous combination for residents. Wildfire (53.18), earthquake (78.28), and hurricane (61.24) risks compound these threats.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Every Summit County property owner should carry separate flood insurance and comprehensive homeowner's coverage with strong tornado protection—these are essential safeguards, not luxuries. Review policies every year and document home improvements to justify replacement value.

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.