Tehama County's composite score of 69.0 places it in the 69th percentile nationally, ranking 19 points above the national median of 50.0. The county achieves this through exceptionally low housing costs and favorable tax treatment.
2 / 5
Well above California's livability benchmark
Tehama's 69.0 score significantly outpaces California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the top quarter of state counties. Few California counties achieve this combination of affordability and tax advantage.
3 / 5
Best-in-class cost and tax profiles
Tehama delivers an impressive cost score of 68.7, with median home value at $315,600 and rent at just $1,159 monthly—among California's most affordable. The tax score of 84.5 with a 0.632% effective rate is the lowest in this group.
4 / 5
Incomes lag behind housing values
The income score of 23.8 and median household income of $61,834 represent the county's primary constraint, limiting purchasing power despite low prices. Additional data on schools, health, and safety will clarify other livability factors.
5 / 5
For remote workers and frugal families
Tehama suits remote workers with steady online income and families seeking maximum housing security on modest budgets. Traditional wage earners may struggle, but for those whose income is location-independent, Tehama offers exceptional value and peace of mind.
Tehama County's composite score of 69.0 places it in the 69th percentile nationally, ranking 19 points above the national median of 50.0. The county achieves this through exceptionally low housing costs and favorable tax treatment.
Well above California's livability benchmark
Tehama's 69.0 score significantly outpaces California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the top quarter of state counties. Few California counties achieve this combination of affordability and tax advantage.
Best-in-class cost and tax profiles
Tehama delivers an impressive cost score of 68.7, with median home value at $315,600 and rent at just $1,159 monthly—among California's most affordable. The tax score of 84.5 with a 0.632% effective rate is the lowest in this group.
Incomes lag behind housing values
The income score of 23.8 and median household income of $61,834 represent the county's primary constraint, limiting purchasing power despite low prices. Additional data on schools, health, and safety will clarify other livability factors.
For remote workers and frugal families
Tehama suits remote workers with steady online income and families seeking maximum housing security on modest budgets. Traditional wage earners may struggle, but for those whose income is location-independent, Tehama offers exceptional value and peace of mind.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Tehama County's effective tax rate of 0.632% sits well below California's 0.714% average and ranks among the lowest in the nation. The median property tax of $1,996 falls below the national median of $2,690, making Tehama genuinely affordable for property tax purposes.
Second-lowest tax rate in California
Tehama ranks near the bottom of California counties with an effective rate of 0.632%, bested only by Trinity County's 0.539%. The median tax of $1,996 is among the lowest in the state, offering significant relief compared to California's $4,045 state median.
Lowest taxes among Northern California peers
Tehama's 0.632% effective rate undercuts Sonoma (0.716%), Sutter (0.779%), and Tuolumne (0.674%), positioned only behind rural Trinity County (0.539%). Among more populated regions, Tehama stands out as a genuine tax haven.
A $315,600 home costs $1,996 yearly
The typical Tehama homeowner with a $315,600 property pays approximately $1,996 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, that figure climbs to $2,308.
Even low-tax counties warrant assessment review
While Tehama offers some of California's lowest effective rates, homeowners should still verify that their assessed value accurately reflects market conditions. An appeal is always worthwhile if valuation appears inflated.
Tehama County residents spend 22.5% of income on rent, nearly identical to California's 22.4% average and just above the national norm. At $1,159 per month, median rent is 28% below the state median, reflecting Tehama's rural character in the northern Sacramento Valley.
Tehama ranks among California's most affordable
Tehama sits in the lower-cost category statewide, with a median home value of $315,600—nearly 60% below California's median. The county offers genuine small-town affordability in a state dominated by high-cost coastal and Bay Area markets.
Tehama outpaces Trinity but trails Sutter
Renters in Tehama pay $1,159 monthly, placing it between Trinity County ($922) and Sutter County ($1,364). However, Tehama's median income of $61,834 is lower than both neighbors, meaning affordability gains come with lower earning potential.
Tehama housing as income percentage
A Tehama household earning $61,834 annually dedicates about $13,908 to rent (22.5% of income) or $14,616 to mortgage payments. While the percentage is reasonable, the lower absolute income limits overall household financial security.
Tehama for retirees and remote workers
Tehama's low rent ($1,159/month) and reasonable housing burden make it attractive for retirees living on fixed income or remote workers whose salaries don't depend on local job markets. The trade-off is limited local employment and urban amenities.
Tehama County's median household income of $61,834 falls 17% below the national median of $74,755. The county's rural economy and agricultural base limit wage growth compared to more urbanized regions.
Rural Northern California reality
At $61,834, Tehama ranks among California's lower-income counties, lagging the state median of $87,001 by 29%. Per capita income of $35,527 sits 19% below the state average, reflecting limited job diversity and lower wage scales.
Among the North State's lowest
Tehama ($61,834) earns slightly more than Trinity ($53,498) but significantly trails Sutter ($75,450) and Stanislaus ($79,661). The county faces economic headwinds common to rural Northern California.
Housing affordability shines
Despite lower household income, Tehama's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, and median home values of $315,600 are among the state's most affordable. Homeownership is achievable here, offering wealth-building potential for lower-income households.
Build wealth on rural foundations
With median household income of $61,834 and low housing costs, Tehama residents can focus on clearing high-interest debt and establishing modest investment portfolios. Rural property ownership offers tangible wealth-building opportunities despite income constraints.
At 74.3 years, Tehama residents live nearly 2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Over 1 in 5 residents (20.9%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 18%.
Among California's lowest health outcomes
Tehama's 74.3-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in California, trailing the state average of 78.5 years by 4.2 years. The 20.9% poor/fair health rate also significantly exceeds state norms.
Facing the region's steepest health challenges
Tehama's 74.3-year life expectancy is the lowest among nearby counties, trailing Trinity (77 years) by nearly 3 years. At 53 primary care providers per 100,000, Tehama has fewer physicians than nearly all regional peers, exacerbating care gaps.
Critical shortages in primary care access
Despite a 7.2% uninsured rate near the state average, Tehama residents struggle to access care with only 53 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in the region. Mental health services at 233 providers per 100,000 are also among the most constrained regionally.
Insurance alone won't solve access issues
While Tehama's uninsured rate matches the state average, the county's severe shortage of primary care providers makes coverage less meaningful without care to access. Check your insurance eligibility through Covered California or county services, and ask about telemedicine or regional care options.
Tehama County's score of 88.90 sits nearly at parity with the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. The county faces serious multi-hazard exposure warranting careful preparation.
Slightly above California's state average
Tehama's 88.90 score edges above California's 88.72 state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk rankings. The county's wildfire risk at 98.47 significantly influences this positioning.
More at-risk than Trinity, less than Stanislaus
Tehama (88.90) ranks between nearby Trinity County (79.45) to the west and Stanislaus (96.88) to the south. The county shares regional wildfire vulnerability with Trinity but faces higher overall exposure.
Wildfires and floods drive your hazards
Wildfire risk at 98.47 and flood risk at 90.04 represent Tehama's dominant threats, with earthquake risk (94.27) adding a third major exposure. The county's northern location and river systems create compounded fire-flood dynamics.
Wildfire insurance is non-negotiable
Wildfire coverage is essential—standard policies may exclude fire from non-standard ignition sources in wildland zones. Also secure earthquake and flood insurance; Tehama's position requires triple coverage to be fully protected.