CountyScore

Susquehanna County

Pennsylvania · PA

#12 in Pennsylvania
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna ranks well nationally

Susquehanna County's composite score of 69.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%, positioning it solidly above the typical American county. This strong performance reflects consistent quality across housing, taxes, and income dimensions measured.

Above Pennsylvania's average

At 69.2, Susquehanna outperforms the state average of 66.0 by more than 3 points, placing it among Pennsylvania's more livable counties. This advantage holds steady across the measured economic dimensions.

Affordability remains the strength

Susquehanna shines with a cost score of 79.2 and median home values of $206,700, delivering genuine affordability for homebuyers in the region. The tax score of 70.0 and effective rate of 1.148% keep the overall tax burden reasonable for residents.

Income levels need growth

The income score of 27.1 reflects a median household income of $66,930—solid but modest compared to more prosperous areas. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment.

Best for value-seeking households

Susquehanna appeals to families and workers seeking affordable housing without sacrificing access to moderate tax rates and reasonable incomes. It's an attractive choice for those prioritizing financial stability over wage growth potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70Cost79.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.1Risk46.4WaterComing Soon
🏛70
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.4
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 Susquehanna County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Wilkes County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $52,542
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976

Deep Dives

Susquehanna County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Susquehanna County

via TaxByCounty

Susquehanna Below National, Above State

Susquehanna County's effective tax rate of 1.148% sits below the national median of 1.281%, though homeowners pay slightly less than the national median property tax. The county's median annual tax of $2,373 trails the U.S. median of $2,690 by roughly 12%, placing it in the lower-middle range nationwide.

Mid-Range Taxes Within Pennsylvania

Susquehanna ranks near the middle of Pennsylvania counties, with an effective rate of 1.148% slightly below the state average of 1.317%. Its median property tax of $2,373 falls 11% below the state average of $2,657, offering moderate relief compared to pricier Pennsylvania regions.

Slightly Higher Than Immediate Neighbors

Susquehanna's 1.148% rate exceeds Sullivan County's (1.051%) but trails Tioga County's (1.189%) in the immediate region. The county sits in the middle of northeastern Pennsylvania's tax landscape, with annual taxes roughly $400 lower than Union County.

Median Home Yields Moderate Tax Bill

A typical Susquehanna County home valued at $206,700 results in $2,373 in annual property taxes. With mortgage tax considerations, the bill rises to $2,505; without them, it drops to $2,264, reflecting a predictable middle-of-the-road burden.

Appeal Can Unlock Hidden Savings

Many Susquehanna County homeowners carry assessments higher than justified by recent comparable sales and market trends. A straightforward property tax appeal—free to file—could reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Susquehanna County

via CostByCounty

Susquehanna Rents Track State Average

Susquehanna County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio nearly mirrors Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, placing it in the middle of the affordability spectrum nationally. At $913 monthly rent on a $66,930 median income, renters here spend a slightly higher share than the national norm.

Middle-of-the-Pack Affordability in PA

Susquehanna ranks at the state median for housing affordability, with its 16.4% rent-to-income ratio just barely beating Pennsylvania's 16.5% average. The county's $913 median rent sits between the state's extremes, offering neither the deepest discounts nor the steepest prices.

More Expensive Than Sullivan, Less Than Wayne

Susquehanna's $913 rent sits higher than neighboring Sullivan County ($781) but lower than Wayne County ($979), reflecting its moderate position in Northeast Pennsylvania's housing market. Homebuyers here also face mid-range costs at $834/month mortgage versus $957/month in Wayne.

Susquehanna: Housing Takes Its Share

With a median income of $66,930, Susquehanna residents dedicate 16.4% to rent ($913/month) or similar amounts to mortgages ($834/month). This leaves households with roughly 83% of income for non-housing expenses, slightly tighter than national averages.

Explore Susquehanna's Middle Ground

Susquehanna offers a balanced compromise between affordability and amenities, with median home values of $206,700 and rents near the state average. Relocating here makes sense if you want Pennsylvania living costs without venturing to the state's most remote corners.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Susquehanna County

via IncomeByCounty

Susquehanna earns below national average

Susquehanna County's median household income of $66,930 falls 10.5% short of the national median of $74,755, ranking the county below the U.S. middle. The roughly $7,825 annual gap reflects economic conditions typical of rural northeastern Pennsylvania.

Slightly below state median for Pennsylvania

At $66,930, Susquehanna trails Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $2,684—a narrower gap than the national spread. The county's per capita income of $39,044 actually exceeds the state average of $37,407, indicating relatively balanced earning across households.

Stronger earnings than most area counties

Susquehanna's $66,930 median outpaces Tioga ($62,932), Venango ($61,626), Warren ($59,013), and Wayne ($62,182) but trails Union ($72,894) in the neighboring cluster. Among eight counties surveyed in this region, Susquehanna ranks second—a solid position in rural Pennsylvania's income hierarchy.

Housing costs stable at 16.4% of income

Susquehanna's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, leaving households financial breathing room. With a median home value of $206,700 and steady rental costs, most residents maintain secure housing without economic strain.

Modest income, solid foundation for growth

Susquehanna residents benefit from manageable housing costs that free up income for retirement accounts, education, and investment. Focus on employer-sponsored benefits, high-yield savings, and local job training to boost earning potential and long-term financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Susquehanna County

via HealthByCounty

Susquehanna's Life Expectancy Edges Above U.S. Average

Susquehanna County residents live to 76.6 years, outpacing the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years by a modest margin but still slightly trailing national longevity. Just 15.4% of Susquehanna County residents report poor or fair health, one of the lowest rates in the region and well below national health satisfaction concerns. The county demonstrates solid health outcomes relative to national benchmarks.

Above Average Health, Above Average Access

Susquehanna County's 76.6-year life expectancy edges 0.2 years above Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average, placing it among the healthier counties statewide. With a 15.4% poor/fair health rate—well below the state picture—Susquehanna residents report notably stronger health satisfaction than peers across Pennsylvania. This positive trend reflects better-than-average health management and access.

Strong Mental Health Provider Network

Susquehanna County supports 81 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, significantly more than Sullivan County's 17 but trailing Wayne County's 117 and Tioga County's 147. The county offers 37 primary care providers per 100,000, competitive with regional neighbors and supporting diverse healthcare needs. This provider capacity helps residents access preventive and behavioral health services.

One in Eleven Residents Uninsured

Susquehanna County's 8.9% uninsured rate exceeds Pennsylvania's 7.0% average, affecting roughly one in eleven residents who navigate healthcare without coverage. Despite good provider availability across primary care (37 per 100K) and mental health (81 per 100K), uninsured residents still face cost barriers to accessing these services. Affordable coverage options could unlock preventive care for thousands.

Find Affordable Coverage for Your Family

If you're among Susquehanna County's 8.9% uninsured, the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Marketplace opens windows each year to enroll in coverage that fits your budget. Community health centers throughout the county also offer sliding-scale services and enrollment assistance at no cost. Visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596 takes just minutes and could save you thousands in healthcare costs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Susquehanna County

via RiskByCounty

Susquehanna faces moderate national risk

Susquehanna County scores 53.59 nationally, placing it near the middle range of U.S. disaster risk and notably below the nation's highest-risk communities. While not extreme, this score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards that residents should understand and prepare for.

Mid-range risk within Pennsylvania

Susquehanna County's composite score of 53.59 falls below Pennsylvania's average of 67.45, ranking it as relatively low-risk statewide. The county outperforms about half of Pennsylvania's other counties in disaster resilience, though some neighbors carry significantly lower exposure.

Riskier than nearby Sullivan County

Susquehanna County (53.59) faces greater hazard exposure than neighboring Sullivan County (10.72) but performs comparably to Tioga County (59.76) and Wayne County (56.33). The primary difference is Susquehanna's higher flood risk (70.99) relative to the broader region.

Flood and hurricane risks dominate

Susquehanna County's critical hazards are hurricane risk (75.34) and flood risk (70.99), both exceeding the state average substantially. Tornado risk (46.98) and earthquake risk (46.91) add secondary concerns that warrant household preparedness planning.

Prioritize flood and windstorm coverage

Susquehanna County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit flood coverage and windstorm protection, given scores of 70.99 and 75.34 respectively. These elevated risks make specialized insurance not optional but essential for financial safety.

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.