CountyScore

Teller County

Colorado · CO

#45 in Colorado
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Teller County, Colorado

Teller Rises Above the National Middle

Teller County's 66.4 composite score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 16.4 points, placing it in the upper-middle tier of American counties. The score reflects competitive fundamentals in tax and income dimensions.

Slightly Below Colorado's Average

Teller's 66.4 falls 5.4 points below the Colorado state average of 71.8, suggesting mixed performance relative to peer counties. The gap reflects housing cost pressures that offset advantages in taxation.

Tax Efficiency and Solid Middle-Class Incomes

Teller achieves a 92.3 tax score with a 0.356% effective tax rate and delivers an income score of 36.0 with median household income at $80,666. This combination provides households with strong purchasing power after taxes.

Housing Affordability and Incomplete Data

The 54.5 cost score reflects elevated housing costs, with a median home value of $445,000 and monthly rent at $1,746. Data on safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain absent, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Suited for Middle-Income Mountain Families

Teller County appeals to middle-class households with household incomes around $80,000 who value mountain proximity and tax efficiency. The county works well for families balancing reasonable earning power with tax advantages, accepting higher housing costs as a tradeoff.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.3Cost54.5SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome36Risk61.2WaterComing Soon
🏛92.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.2
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 Teller County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284
Wabash County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $53,650

Deep Dives

Teller County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Teller County

via TaxByCounty

Teller's moderate rate, below-average taxes

Teller County's effective tax rate of 0.356% falls below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, landing residents in the bottom 35% nationally for tax burden. The median property tax of $1,583 remains 41% below the national median of $2,690.

Below average in Colorado rankings

Teller County's 0.356% effective rate ranks in Colorado's lower third, making it a moderately tax-friendly county. With median taxes of $1,583 versus the state average of $1,560, Teller homeowners pay virtually in line with state norms despite a lower effective rate.

Middle ground among regional counties

Teller County's 0.356% rate falls between Summit County's 0.310% and Washington County's 0.408%, making it moderate within the region. Its median tax of $1,583 reflects a balanced position between mountain luxury markets and plains agricultural counties.

Median annual tax: approximately $1,583

On Teller County's median home value of $445,000, residents pay $1,583 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,637, while those without mortgages pay $1,424—a $213 annual difference.

Verify assessments for accuracy

Teller County homeowners should review their property assessments, as overvaluation is common and creates appeal opportunities. With moderate property values, even modest assessment corrections can save hundreds in annual taxes over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Teller County

via CostByCounty

Teller County's rent affordability problem

Teller County's 26.0% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds both Colorado's 20.2% average and national norms, signaling a serious affordability squeeze for renters. At $1,746 monthly rent on an $80,666 median income, Teller residents pay a larger share of earnings for housing than peers nationwide.

Colorado's least affordable for renters

Teller County's 26.0% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this eight-county sample and significantly above Colorado's 20.2% state average, making it the state's toughest rental market. Despite a respectable $80,666 median income, renters here dedicate more to housing than almost any Colorado county.

Mountain rents with Plains-level income

Teller's $1,746 rent rivals Summit County's mountain premium but on an income ($80,666) far below Summit's $106,255, creating affordability stress absent elsewhere. Even compared to San Miguel ($1,173) and San Juan ($1,076), Teller renters pay 50% more while earning similar incomes—an unsustainable mismatch.

Renters squeezed, owners more stable

Teller renters face the region's worst squeeze, dedicating 26% of income to $1,746 monthly rent, while homeowners pay a more manageable $1,422 (21% of income). This 5-percentage-point gap suggests renting in Teller is a losing proposition compared to ownership for households able to purchase.

Consider ownership or reconsider location

Teller County works only for homebuyers earning $80,666-plus who can access a $445,000 home purchase; renters face unaffordable $1,746 monthly costs. If you're relocating as a renter, nearby San Juan or San Miguel counties offer mountain proximity with dramatically better rent-to-income ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Teller County

via IncomeByCounty

Teller exceeds national earning average

Teller County's median household income of $80,666 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $5,911, positioning this county among above-average American earners. The per capita income of $46,242 closely mirrors the state average, indicating balanced earning across the population.

Upper-middle earner within Colorado

Teller County ranks in the upper third of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $80,666, exceeding the state average of $74,792 by $5,874. Its per capita income of $46,242 aligns closely with the state average of $43,584.

Solid earner among regional peers

Teller's median household income of $80,666 matches San Miguel County at $80,117 while trailing Summit's $106,255, positioning it among the region's stronger-earning communities. The county outpaces state averages while maintaining moderate earning distribution.

Housing costs strain budget despite good income

Teller's rent-to-income ratio of 26.0% stands as the highest among these eight counties, signaling significant housing cost burden despite the $80,666 median income. The median home value of $445,000 demands exceptional commitment from households, leaving less flexibility for other expenses.

Manage housing costs to unlock savings

Teller households earning $80,666 carry outsized housing commitments that reduce wealth-building capacity compared to peers with lower housing ratios. Reassess housing affordability, refinancing options, and alternative strategies to free capital for retirement savings and long-term investment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Teller County

via HealthByCounty

Teller matches national health baseline

Teller County's life expectancy of 78.4 years exceeds the national average of 76.4 years by 2 years, placing it in the healthier half of U.S. counties. With 12.8% reporting poor or fair health—just below America's 13% average—the county maintains solid wellness across its population.

Slightly above Colorado average

Teller's 78.4-year life expectancy edges out Colorado's state average of 78.2 years by just 0.2 years, positioning it as a typical Colorado county. The 12.8% poor/fair health rate matches state patterns, reflecting middle-of-the-road health outcomes for the region.

Average among Colorado peers

Teller's 78.4-year life expectancy sits between Washington County (74.0 years) and Weld County (78.8 years), reflecting typical Colorado health performance. Its 12.8% poor/fair health rate broadly aligns with San Miguel County and Summit County, suggesting consistent regional wellness.

Strong coverage, limited primary care

Teller boasts Colorado's lowest uninsured rate at 6.3%—well below the state average of 9.7%—meaning most residents access care easily. However, the county offers just 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, requiring residents to sometimes travel for routine medical services.

Celebrate success, stay insured

Teller's exceptional uninsured rate shows what community engagement achieves—keep that strength by maintaining coverage year-round. Visit connectforhealthco.com to renew or update your plan annually.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Teller County

via RiskByCounty

Teller's wildfire risk pushes it above average

Teller County scores 38.84, earning a Very Low overall rating but sitting just below the national average. The county's elevated wildfire exposure distinguishes it from lower-risk peers.

Mid-tier risk among Colorado counties

Teller's 38.84 score falls just below the Colorado state average of 40.67, placing it in the middle of the state's risk distribution. It faces moderate hazard exposure compared to its statewide peers.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Teller ranks higher than San Juan (10.69), San Miguel (19.12), and Sedgwick (6.52), but lower than Summit County (60.21). Its wildfire profile sets it apart in the central mountain region.

Wildfire is the dominant concern

Wildfire risk (97.04) is exceptionally high in Teller County, among the state's most vulnerable areas. Tornado (27.96) and earthquake (23.35) risks are moderate; flooding remains low at 15.94.

Wildfire insurance is non-negotiable

Teller County's wildfire risk of 97.04 makes comprehensive fire coverage essential—verify your homeowner's policy includes wildfire damage or purchase a dedicated rider immediately. Creating defensible space around your home and developing an evacuation plan are equally important steps.

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.