Taylor County scores 75.1 on the CountyScore composite index, the second-highest in this group and 50% above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates exceptional livability driven primarily by affordability and low tax burden.
2 / 5
Stands out above Florida's average
At 75.1, Taylor County exceeds Florida's state average of 69.4 by 5.7 points, ranking it among the state's highest-performing counties. The county emerges as a genuine Florida livability leader.
3 / 5
Exceptional value and minimal taxes
Taylor County delivers a cost score of 85.5 and median gross rent of $878/month—among the lowest in the nation. The tax score of 81.9 and effective tax rate of 0.723%, combined with median home values of just $100,200, make this county extraordinarily affordable.
4 / 5
Lowest incomes in the group
The income score of 12.8 reflects median household income of only $44,985—the lowest in this eight-county analysis. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.
5 / 5
Best for extremely budget-conscious residents
Taylor County suits retirees and remote workers with minimal income requirements who prioritize rock-bottom housing costs and taxes. This is the county for those willing to trade income levels for unmatched affordability and minimal financial burden.
Taylor County scores 75.1 on the CountyScore composite index, the second-highest in this group and 50% above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates exceptional livability driven primarily by affordability and low tax burden.
Stands out above Florida's average
At 75.1, Taylor County exceeds Florida's state average of 69.4 by 5.7 points, ranking it among the state's highest-performing counties. The county emerges as a genuine Florida livability leader.
Exceptional value and minimal taxes
Taylor County delivers a cost score of 85.5 and median gross rent of $878/month—among the lowest in the nation. The tax score of 81.9 and effective tax rate of 0.723%, combined with median home values of just $100,200, make this county extraordinarily affordable.
Lowest incomes in the group
The income score of 12.8 reflects median household income of only $44,985—the lowest in this eight-county analysis. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.
Best for extremely budget-conscious residents
Taylor County suits retirees and remote workers with minimal income requirements who prioritize rock-bottom housing costs and taxes. This is the county for those willing to trade income levels for unmatched affordability and minimal financial burden.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Taylor County has the nation's lowest tax burden here
Taylor County's effective rate of 0.723% sits just below the national median, but its median annual tax of $724 is the lowest among all eight counties profiled. On a median home worth $100,200—less than half the national average—Taylor residents enjoy one of America's most affordable property tax situations.
Taylor ranks among Florida's most affordable counties
At 0.723%, Taylor's effective rate nearly matches Florida's 0.731% statewide average, but its median tax bill of just $724 is 62% below the state median of $1,885. This rural Panhandle county offers some of Florida's most attractive property tax conditions for budget-conscious homeowners.
Taylor taxes less than Suwannee despite similar rates
Taylor's 0.723% rate is slightly lower than Suwannee's 0.727%, but Taylor's median bill of $724 falls below Suwannee's $1,169 due to lower home valuations ($100,200 vs. $160,900). Taylor emerges as the region's most tax-affordable option.
A $100,200 home costs about $724 yearly
The median Taylor home, valued at $100,200, incurs an annual property tax of just $724. With mortgage taxes included, homeowners pay $1,347; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $533.
Appeal your Taylor County assessment if needed
Even in affordable markets like Taylor, homeowners occasionally face inflated valuations that warrant appeal. Filing a free assessment challenge with the county property appraiser costs nothing and could lower an already modest bill further.
Taylor County's 23.4% rent-to-income ratio reflects deep affordability challenges, paired with the lowest median household income in our comparison at $44,985. At $878 monthly rent, housing costs remain low in absolute terms but consume a larger income share than national averages.
Lowest incomes, moderate affordability ratio
Taylor's 23.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Florida's state average of 22.5%, placing it among the state's more strained counties despite modest rents. The median rent of $878 sits below the statewide $1,233 median, yet incomes here run far lower.
Similar costs, similar income pressures
Taylor's $878 rent and 23.4% ratio compare closely to Suwannee ($849, 18.4%) and Union ($846, 15.6%), though Taylor's weaker incomes create sharper affordability tension. The trio of northern counties shares economic challenges despite varying absolute costs.
Lowest costs paired with lowest incomes
Renters pay $878 monthly (23.4% of income) and homeowners $467 (12.4% of income), the lowest absolute costs in our group. The median home value of $100,200 offers genuine first-time-buyer potential for residents.
Taylor for patient homebuyers with low income
Households earning under $50,000 should weigh Taylor's rock-bottom home prices ($100,200 median) against limited job opportunities and services. Renters may find better income-to-housing balance in Suwannee; those seeking growth should explore Sumter or Seminole.
Taylor County's median household income of $44,985 falls 40% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationally. This significant gap reflects structural economic challenges and limited job diversity.
Florida's lowest-income county
Taylor County's median household income of $44,985 ranks last among Florida's 67 counties, nearly $21,000 below the state average of $65,468. Per capita income of $26,808 also ranks among the state's lowest.
Significantly below all peers
Taylor's $44,985 median income severely lags neighboring Suwannee County ($55,479) and all other regional counties. The gap reflects deeper economic distress and fewer opportunities for wage growth in the area.
Housing affordable but income-strained
Taylor's rent-to-income ratio of 23.4% keeps housing costs reasonable, and a median home value of just $100,200 makes ownership accessible. However, low median incomes mean households must carefully prioritize all expenses.
Focus on stability first
Taylor County households earning $44,985 should prioritize job training and career development to boost earning potential. Once income stabilizes, even modest savings accumulate into meaningful wealth over time.
Taylor County's life expectancy significantly trails U.S. average
At 72.6 years, Taylor County residents live nearly 3.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 21.7% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in Florida—the county faces acute health challenges.
Florida's poorest health outcomes
Taylor County's 72.6-year life expectancy is 3.2 years below Florida's 75.8-year average, and its 21.7% poor/fair health rate is the worst in the state. At 13.4% uninsured, the county's coverage rate slightly beats the state average, yet health outcomes remain dire.
Worst health outcomes among regional peers
Taylor County residents live 8.4 years fewer than St. Johns County (81.0 years) and nearly match Suwannee's 72.9-year life expectancy. Its 21.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighboring counties, indicating systemic health equity challenges.
Limited providers in a rural healthcare desert
Taylor County has only 46 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and 51 mental health providers per 100,000—among Florida's lowest densities. Though 13.4% are uninsured, the shortage of available providers severely limits care access even for the insured.
Coverage alone isn't enough—seek available care
While Taylor County's 13.4% uninsured rate is relatively low, residents still need health insurance to access care and prevent catastrophic costs. Those without coverage should enroll via Florida Medicaid or the ACA marketplace, then work with local community health centers to address deferred care.
Taylor County's composite risk score of 65.43 reflects a "Relatively Low" rating well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county experiences meaningful hurricane exposure but avoids the acute tornado and wildfire risks that burden other Florida regions.
Well below Florida's state average
At 65.43, Taylor's risk score sits well below Florida's 75.74 state average, placing it among the state's safest counties. Its low tornado risk of 37.15 and modest wildfire risk of 81.42 are substantial points of advantage.
Most favorable risk in regional group
Taylor's 65.43 score is markedly lower than Seminole (91.44), St. Johns (87.53), and Suwannee (71.34) counties, making it the safest county in its geographic cluster. Only Union County (10.88) presents meaningfully lower risk in northern Florida.
Hurricanes are primary Taylor concern
Hurricane risk reaches 92.70 in Taylor County, reflecting Gulf Coast exposure to Atlantic tropical cyclones and storm surge. Flooding is secondary but notable at 76.60, particularly in coastal and low-lying inland areas, while tornado risk is comparatively low at 37.15.
Hurricane coverage and flood insurance matter
Taylor residents should maintain homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane/wind coverage and obtain flood insurance if in a mapped coastal or flood-risk zone. The county's lower overall risk profile means standard precautions—roof maintenance, emergency supplies, evacuation planning—are typically sufficient.