CountyScore

Sutter County

California · CA

#24 in California
61.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Sutter County, California

Sutter ranks well above national median

Sutter County's composite score of 64.8 places it in the top 65th percentile nationally, 14.8 points above the national median. The county delivers strong value through affordable housing and low tax burden.

Above average for California

Sutter's 64.8 score ranks above California's state average of 61.3, putting it in the upper-third of state counties. The achievement reflects rural Northern California's cost advantages.

Exceptional affordability, reasonable taxes

Sutter boasts a cost score of 61.1 with median home value at $399,400 and monthly rent just $1,364—among the most affordable in the state. The tax score of 80.4 with a 0.779% effective rate further lightens household budgets.

Income growth lags region needs

The income score of 32.6 and median household income of $75,450 represent challenges for families seeking wealth building in a rural economy. Future data on schools, health, and safety will clarify the county's full livability picture.

For retirees and budget-conscious families

Sutter suits retirees with fixed incomes and families whose primary goal is homeownership at minimal cost. It may disappoint those seeking high-wage employment or urban amenities, but delivers stability for those who prioritize affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.4Cost61.1SafetyComing SoonHealth67.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.6Risk16.3WaterComing Soon
🏛80.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.3
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 Sutter County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hall County
Georgia
61.4
Median income: $77,430
Pottawattamie County
Iowa
61.4
Median income: $71,446
Geary County
Kansas
61.4
Median income: $57,344
Oakland County
Michigan
61.4
Median income: $95,296
Crosby County
Texas
61.4
Median income: $52,197

Deep Dives

Sutter County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sutter County

via TaxByCounty

Sutter's tax rate tops California average

Sutter County residents pay an effective tax rate of 0.779%, notably above California's 0.714% average and well above national norms. The median property tax of $3,111 significantly exceeds the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $399,400.

Among California's highest tax rates

Sutter County ranks above the state average with an effective rate of 0.779%—one of the higher rates across California. Its median tax of $3,111 falls below the state median of $4,045 due to lower home values, but the effective rate remains significantly elevated.

Steepest effective rate in the region

Sutter's 0.779% effective tax rate substantially exceeds nearby Stanislaus (0.709%), Tehama (0.632%), and Trinity (0.539%). Only Sonoma (0.716%) and Ventura (0.693%) approach Sutter's burden, while Tulare (0.730%) comes close but still falls below.

A $399,400 home costs $3,111 yearly

The typical Sutter homeowner with a $399,400 property pays approximately $3,111 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.779%. Including mortgage assessments, the total rises to $3,323.

Sutter homeowners should review their assessments

With one of California's highest effective tax rates, Sutter residents have strong incentive to appeal potentially inflated property valuations. Even a modest reduction in assessed value can deliver meaningful savings given the county's elevated rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sutter County

via CostByCounty

Sutter offers below-average housing burden

Sutter County residents spend just 21.7% of income on rent, below both California's 22.4% average and the national norm. At $1,364 per month, median rent is 16% below the state median, positioning Sutter as one of California's more affordable rental markets.

Among California's most affordable counties

Sutter ranks in the lower-cost tier across California, with a median home value of just $399,400. This affordability reflects the county's rural-suburban character in the Sacramento Valley region.

Sutter undercuts neighboring Sonoma sharply

Renters in Sutter pay $1,364 monthly versus $2,093 in Sonoma County—a 35% savings—though Sutter's median income is also lower at $75,450. The trade-off is clear: Sutter offers rural affordability, while Sonoma delivers coast-access amenities and higher wages.

Sutter's modest housing costs

A Sutter household earning $75,450 annually spends approximately $16,416 on rent (21.7% of income) or $17,556 on mortgage payments. Housing takes up a smaller slice of income here, creating more room for other expenses and emergency savings.

Sutter appeals to budget-conscious families

If affordability is your priority, Sutter County delivers some of California's lowest housing costs without the rural isolation of mountain communities. Families or retirees on fixed incomes will find Sutter's $1,364 median rent and below-average housing burden genuinely livable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sutter County

via IncomeByCounty

Sutter matches national middle class

Sutter County's median household income of $75,450 slightly edges the national median of $74,755 by just under 1%. The county reflects typical American middle-class earnings, anchored by agriculture and healthcare sectors.

Sutter lags California's standard

At $75,450, Sutter County trails California's median household income of $87,001 by 13%. The per capita income of $34,330 also sits below the state average of $43,669, reflecting rural and agricultural economic patterns.

North State earning tiers

Sutter ($75,450) earns more than Tehama ($61,834) and Trinity ($53,498) but falls short of Sonoma ($102,840) and Stanislaus ($79,661). The county occupies the lower-middle position in its regional peer group.

Affordable housing, tight budgets

Sutter's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the best in California, easing housing cost burden for typical households. Median home values of $399,400 remain manageable relative to the $75,450 median income, supporting homeownership pathways.

Maximize modest income growth

With median household income at $75,450 and favorable housing ratios, Sutter residents can prioritize debt reduction and starter investment accounts. The county's affordability creates space to save for education and retirement without overextending household budgets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sutter County

via HealthByCounty

Sutter faces persistent health disparities

At 77.3 years, Sutter's life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years. However, nearly 1 in 4 residents (23%) report poor or fair health—far above the national average of 18%—signaling deeper health challenges.

High health burden across the county

Sutter's 77.3-year life expectancy falls below California's 78.5-year average, and the 23% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. This suggests underlying health risks that extend beyond life expectancy alone.

Struggling compared to adjacent counties

Sutter's 77.3-year life expectancy lags Sonoma (80.6 years) significantly, though it exceeds Stanislaus (75.4 years). The county's 23% poor/fair health rate is the highest among regional peers, indicating serious population health challenges.

Provider access below regional standards

Sutter's 8.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.2%, and the county has only 76 primary care providers per 100,000—below regional averages. With 375 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral care is more available than primary services, yet overall access remains constrained.

Closing the coverage gap matters here

Nearly 1 in 11 Sutter residents lack health insurance, above the state average. Reach out to Covered California or your county health department immediately to explore coverage options that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sutter County

via RiskByCounty

Sutter carries moderate national risk profile

Sutter County's composite risk score of 83.72 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, placing it slightly below the national average. While serious hazards exist, Sutter faces lower overall exposure than many California counties.

Middle-tier risk in California

Sutter's 83.72 score sits below California's state average of 88.72, positioning it in the safer half of the state's counties. Earthquake risk at 94.08 remains the dominant hazard despite the moderate overall rating.

Lower risk than Stanislaus and Tehama

Sutter's 83.72 score is substantially lower than Stanislaus (96.88) and Tehama (88.90) to the south and east. The county's relative advantage stems primarily from lower flood and wildfire exposure.

Earthquakes pose your primary hazard

Earthquake risk at 94.08 drives Sutter's overall score, though flood risk (71.41) and wildfire risk (77.13) remain notable. The county's location along Sacramento Valley flood zones makes water management critical.

Prioritize earthquake coverage first

Earthquake insurance is your essential add-on, covering damage standard homeowners policies won't touch. Also obtain flood insurance—Sutter's valley position and aging levee systems create baseline flood exposure.

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.