CountyScore

Summit County

Utah · UT

#24 in Utah
66.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Summit County, Utah

Summit County scores solidly above average

Summit County's composite score of 66.7 beats the national median of 50.0 by 33%, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. This respectable showing reflects strong income and health performance that offset significant housing cost challenges.

Below Utah average due to housing costs

At 66.7, Summit County trails the state average of 72.1 by 5.4 points, reflecting the impact of extreme housing price inflation on its overall livability ranking. Despite this drag, it remains competitive among affluent, high-opportunity counties.

Highest incomes and excellent health outcomes

Summit County leads the study group with an income score of 72.8 and median household income of $137,058, plus a health score of 83.0—the highest in the sample. The tax score of 92.5 and effective tax rate of 0.347% are also among the nation's most favorable.

Housing affordability far exceeds reasonable costs

Summit County's cost score of just 40.4 reflects a median home value of $1,000,400 and median rent of $1,969—by far the most expensive in this group. The risk score of 39.9 also indicates greater natural disaster vulnerability, a consideration for long-term residents.

Best for affluent professionals seeking mountain life

Summit County appeals to high-earning professionals and entrepreneurs who can afford premium mountain living and value excellent health services and outdoor recreation. It suits those prioritizing income potential, elite healthcare access, and low taxes over housing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.5Cost40.4SafetyComing SoonHealth83SchoolsComing SoonIncome72.8Risk39.9WaterComing Soon
🏛92.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠40.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼72.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83
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 Summit County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

McIntosh County
Georgia
66.7
Median income: $50,348
Washington County
Georgia
66.7
Median income: $44,009
Montgomery County
Iowa
66.7
Median income: $63,190
Haskell County
Kansas
66.7
Median income: $69,138
Miami County
Kansas
66.7
Median income: $88,000

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 rate is Utah's lowest

Summit County's effective tax rate of 0.347% ranks in the bottom 10% nationally and is the lowest across all 29 Utah counties. Despite the low rate, the median tax bill of $3,469 exceeds the national median of $2,690, driven by an exceptionally high median home value of $1,000,400—reflecting the county's desirable resort communities.

Lowest rate in Utah overall

Summit County's effective tax rate of 0.347% is the state's lowest, far below the Utah average of 0.498%. The county's median tax of $3,469 ranks highest statewide, entirely due to its luxury property market rather than high tax rates.

Lowest rate among surrounding counties

Summit County's 0.347% effective rate significantly undercuts adjacent Tooele County (0.589%), Uintah County (0.535%), and Salt Lake County (0.563%). The county's tax-friendly environment reflects its status as an exclusive resort destination with strong commercial tax revenue.

Median home costs $3,469 in taxes yearly

A typical Summit County home valued at $1,000,400 generates an annual property tax bill of $3,469, the highest median in Utah. While the effective rate is the state's lowest, the astronomical home values drive a substantial annual tax obligation for most homeowners.

High-value homes should verify assessments

In Summit County's luxury market, even small percentage errors in assessment can mean thousands of dollars in annual tax overpayment. Homeowners with million-dollar-plus properties should routinely request independent assessments and file appeals if assessments drift above comparable recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Summit County

via CostByCounty

Summit's high earners handle premium costs

Summit County's median household income of $137,058 is 83% higher than the national average, allowing residents to absorb its steep housing costs. At a rent-to-income ratio of 17.2%, renters spend more of their income on housing than the national norm, but exceptional earnings provide substantial cushion.

Utah's priciest market, highest earners

Summit County has Utah's highest median home value at $1,000,400 and among the state's highest rents at $1,969 monthly. Though its rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds Utah's 16.6% average, the county's extraordinary median income of $137,058 makes these premium costs manageable for most residents.

Park City premium towers over region

Summit County's $1,969 monthly rent and $2,074 owner costs far exceed all neighboring Utah counties—Salt Lake's $1,493 rent and Tooele's $1,568 owner costs pale by comparison. The county's median home value of $1,000,400 reflects its exclusive mountain resort positioning and skier-friendly proximity.

Premium housing for premium incomes

Renters spend $1,969 monthly while homeowners average $2,074, consuming 17.2% to 18.1% of a median $137,058 household income. Despite these steep absolute costs, the typical Summit family dedicates roughly $23,600 to $30,200 annually to housing—a manageable share for high earners.

Summit: luxury living comes at a cost

Summit County suits affluent relocators drawn to world-class skiing, outdoor recreation, and mountain lifestyle—but only if your income justifies the premium. The county's $1,000,400 median home value and $1,969 rents demand six-figure household income to maintain comfortable financial footing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Summit County

via IncomeByCounty

Summit County dominates national income rankings

Summit County's median household income of $137,058 crushes the national median of $74,755, exceeding it by 83.3% or $62,303. This extraordinary premium ranks Summit among the wealthiest counties in America, driven by resort tourism and second-home economies.

Utah's uncontested income champion

Summit County ranks decisively first in Utah for median household income, towering above the state average of $80,176 by nearly $57,000. Per capita income of $74,755 matches the entire national median household income, underscoring concentrated, exceptional wealth in the county.

Dramatically outearning all peer counties

Summit County's $137,058 income far exceeds even the second-highest earner, Salt Lake County ($94,658), by $42,400. The gap reflects Summit's unique position as a destination economy with high-value tourism, real estate, and resort employment.

Housing costs strain despite high incomes

Despite exceptional income, Summit County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio reflects housing costs of approximately $1,971 monthly, driven by the county's $1,000,400 median home value. Even affluent residents face significant housing cost burdens relative to income.

Optimize wealth across multiple asset classes

Summit County's exceptional income positions residents to diversify investments across stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative assets while maintaining comfort. Working with wealth management professionals becomes essential to optimize tax efficiency and long-term portfolio growth at this income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Summit County

via HealthByCounty

Summit County leads U.S. longevity

At 84.0 years, Summit County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 7.6 years, among the nation's best. Only 11.3% report poor or fair health, well below national rates, reflecting strong prevention and wellness practices.

Utah's top health performer

Summit County's 84.0-year life expectancy ranks first in Utah, surpassing the state average of 77.9 years by 6.1 years. The county's 11.3% poor/fair health rate is the lowest statewide, signaling exceptional overall wellness.

Dramatically outpacing surrounding counties

Summit County's 84.0-year life expectancy vastly exceeds neighboring Rich County (83.7 years, close but still second) and dramatically surpasses Tooele County (77.1 years) by 6.9 years. Summit stands apart as a regional health outlier.

High provider density, excellent coverage

Summit County boasts 139 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in the state—plus 271 mental health providers. At just 8.9% uninsured, Summit County has the lowest uninsured rate statewide, ensuring most residents can access its abundant healthcare.

Join Summit's highly insured community

Summit County's 8.9% uninsured rate is the state's lowest, but the 9 in 100 residents without coverage should enroll immediately. Healthcare.gov and Utah's marketplace offer quick pathways to joining the vast majority of Summit residents who enjoy provider access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Summit County

via RiskByCounty

Summit County faces moderate disaster risk

At 60.08, Summit County's composite risk score exceeds the national average and ranks in the relatively low category. The score reflects significant wildfire exposure combined with moderate earthquake and flood risks.

Higher risk than most Utah counties

Summit County's 60.08 score substantially exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevation reflects the county's mountain terrain and wildland-urban interface characteristics.

Riskier than Tooele and surrounding areas

Summit County (60.08) exceeds neighboring Tooele County (48.89) and most other Utah counties in overall risk. Only Salt Lake County (98.57) shows notably higher composite risk in the region.

Wildfires dominate the risk landscape

Wildfire risk (96.53) stands as Summit County's overwhelmingly largest hazard exposure, with earthquake risk (55.53) and flood risk (49.62) also noteworthy. Tornado risk (13.58) remains comparatively low.

Wildfire protection is non-negotiable

Summit County residents must ensure wildfire coverage through their homeowners policy or a separate policy, as standard coverage may exclude wildfire damage. Also secure earthquake and flood insurance given the county's secondary exposures.

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.