countyscore
51.1
County Score
Property Tax 95.9Income & Jobs 86.9Health 86.6

County Report Card

About Teller County, Colorado

Teller matches national average exactly

Teller's composite score of 51.2 equals the national median precisely, ranking it at the 50th percentile. High incomes and excellent health offset substantial housing and water challenges.

Right at Colorado's statewide mean

Teller's score of 51.2 matches Colorado's state average exactly, signaling a county neither leading nor lagging. It represents the median Colorado experience—balanced strengths and weaknesses across multiple livability dimensions.

Income and health stand strong

Teller delivers strong incomes at $80,666 (84.6 score) and excellent health (86.6), reflecting a prosperous, well-served population. Tax efficiency (95.9) is also excellent, with an effective rate of just 0.356%.

Housing and water strain residents

Median home values of $445,000 produce a cost score of just 7.0, limiting accessibility for working families. Critical water shortage (6.1) poses serious concerns for long-term habitability and growth.

Good fit for established couples

Teller suits affluent couples or retirees drawn to mountain communities with strong healthcare and tax advantages. Young families should consider water limitations and school quality (29.0) carefully before relocating.

2040608010095.95.648.586.62986.961.26.151.3Tax95.9Cost5.6Safety48.5Health86.6Schools29Income86.9Risk61.2Water6.1Weather51.351.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Teller County DNA

Foverall

How Teller County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Teller County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (95.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (6.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
95.9+43.900000000000006
Cost
5.6-42.4
Safety
48.5
Health
86.6+36.599999999999994
Schools
29-25
Income
86.9+35.900000000000006
Risk
61.2+14.200000000000003
Water
6.1-51.9
Weather
51.3
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Teller County

Whether buying or refinancing in Teller County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$479,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,880/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$479,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$75,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $85,361/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

36.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Teller County with Randolph County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Randolph County
Arkansas
Median income: $50,911
51.1
Woodbury County
Iowa
Median income: $73,658
51.1
Chester County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $127,208
51.1
Mercer County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $59,976
51.1
Bailey County
Texas
Median income: $61,420
51.1
Goliad County
Texas
Median income: $59,359
51.1
Essex County
Virginia
Median income: $56,520
51.1
Fayette County
West Virginia
Median income: $53,194
51.1

Nearby counties

El Paso County
Colorado
35.1
Fremont County
Colorado
45.4
Douglas County
Colorado
47.4
Park County
Colorado
57.8
Jefferson County
Colorado
39.6
Elbert County
Colorado
60.6
Denver County
Colorado
33.6
Pueblo County
Colorado
32.3

Deep Dives

Teller County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Teller County

via CrimeByCounty

Teller County Safety Overview

Teller County earns a strong safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1,155.2 per 100,000 is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming State Safety Norms

The county's safety score of 98.2 beats the Colorado average of 97.1. Local residents enjoy a crime rate of 1,155.2, which is significantly lower than the state average of 1,834.6.

Comparing Teller to Regional Peers

Teller's crime rate of 1,155.2 is lower than Summit County's 1,873.7. However, it is higher than the very low rates found in more remote areas like San Miguel County.

Analyzing Violent vs Property Crime

Violent crime in Teller stands at 214.1, while property crime is reported at 941.1 per 100,000. Both categories remain lower than the national benchmarks for these crimes.

Smart Security for Hillside Homes

Securing entry points and using smart monitoring systems can further reduce the risk of property crime. These proactive steps ensure that Teller County remains a safe place to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Teller County

via WeatherByCounty

Teller's high-altitude climate runs cool

Teller County averages 41.0°F annually, about 6°F below the U.S. median of 47°F, reflecting its mountain location south of Colorado Springs. Annual precipitation of 16.5 inches falls mostly as snow due to elevation, creating a true alpine climate.

Well below Colorado's average, above Summit

At 41.0°F, Teller runs 5°F colder than Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, though it ranks warmer than high-alpine Summit County. This positioning makes Teller a transitional zone between plains and mountain climates.

Warmer plains meet colder peaks here

Teller's 41.0°F sits between Summit County's frigid 37.0°F and the warmer plains counties like Sedgwick (49.8°F), reflecting its position on the Front Range. The county's extreme heat days are zero, shared only with Summit among the region.

Cold winters, mild summers, heavy snow

January averages 23.4°F while July reaches only 61.3°F, a moderate 37-degree spread compared to plains counties' wider swings. Teller receives 58.9 inches of snow annually—nearly 5 feet—and zero days above 90°F, meaning cooling is never a concern.

Invest in snow removal and winter heating

With almost 59 inches of annual snowfall and sub-zero winter nights, Teller residents need reliable four-wheel drive, snow tires, and dependable heating systems. Summer's mild 61°F average means outdoor recreation extends longer than in true high country, but snow can arrive any month of the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Teller County

via SoilByCounty

Granite Foundations in Teller County

Teller County's specific soil taxonomic orders and pH levels are not currently included in federal surveys. Without this data, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly how local soil acidity compares to the 6.5 national median. The region's granite-rich geology often suggests a unique mineral profile for local residents.

Coarse Textures of the High Country

There are no official records for the specific sand, silt, and clay percentages within the county borders. The Pikes Peak region is known for decomposed granite, which typically creates a gravelly or coarse soil texture. This results in fast drainage but potentially low nutrient retention for local plants.

Evaluating Forested Soil Fertility

Soil organic matter and available water capacity are not currently documented for this region. While the Colorado average organic matter is 2.18%, Teller's forested soils may vary significantly based on local pine and aspen cover. Adding compost can help bridge the gap for any high-altitude vegetable gardening.

Practical Drainage in Rocky Soil

The county lacks specific data on dominant drainage classes or hydrologic groups in this dataset. Site-specific assessments are recommended for anyone planning drainage systems or foundation work in the local decomposed granite. Understanding how your specific plot handles heavy snowmelt is vital for land management.

Mountain Hardy Planting in Zone 5b

Located in hardiness zone 5b, Teller County supports a variety of mountain-hardy perennials and native grasses. Focus on drought-tolerant species that can handle the high-altitude sun and cool evening temperatures. With a little patience, your mountain garden can become a thriving sanctuary.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Teller County

via LawnByCounty

Teller County Leads the Region

Teller County is a bright spot for Colorado lawn care with a difficulty score of 46.5, significantly easier than the state average of 37.4. While it remains just below the national median of 50.0, it offers some of the most favorable conditions in the state. This Zone 5b region provides a manageable balance of cool temperatures and reasonable growth potential.

Mild Summers and Modest Rainfall

The climate is exceptionally mild, with zero extreme heat days and an average July temperature of 61.3°F. You only receive 16.5 inches of annual precipitation, which is the primary hurdle for maintaining a lush lawn. With 1,036 growing degree days, the mowing frequency remains low, saving you time and effort compared to hotter counties.

Inconsistent Soil Requires Local Testing

Data on soil pH and texture is not available at the county level, so a private soil test is your first step for success. Most Teller County soils benefit from phosphorus and nitrogen supplements to jumpstart growth in the spring. Ensuring your soil is properly aerated will help the limited rainfall reach the roots instead of running off the mountain slopes.

Relatively Stable Drought Conditions

While much of Colorado struggles, only 0.5% of Teller County is in severe drought, with only 14 weeks of drought over the past year. This makes lawn maintenance more predictable here than in neighboring counties. Regular mulching and maintaining a high cutting height can further insulate your lawn against future dry spells.

Selecting the Right Alpine Mix

Traditional cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass thrive in this Zone 5b environment. Since specific frost dates are not recorded, watch for the soil to warm consistently in late spring before starting new seed. Fall is also an excellent time for overseeding, taking advantage of the cool temperatures to establish roots before winter.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Teller County's county score?
Teller County, Colorado has a composite county score of 51.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Teller County rank among counties in Colorado?
Teller County ranks #33 among all counties in Colorado on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Teller County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Teller County is $1,672, with an effective tax rate of 0.35%. This earns Teller County a tax score of 95.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Teller County?
The median household income in Teller County, Colorado is $85,361 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Teller County earns an income score of 86.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Teller County, Colorado a good place to live?
Teller County scores 51.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Teller County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Teller County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.