CountyScore

Tioga County

New York · NY

#22 in New York
60
County Score

County Report Card

About Tioga County, New York

Tioga Exceeds National Livability Standard

Tioga County scores 54.5 on the composite index, surpassing the national median of 50.0 and placing it among the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This above-average score reflects solid fundamentals in cost and income across a rural Southern Tier community.

Just Below New York State Average

Tioga's composite score of 54.5 sits marginally below New York's state average of 54.7, performing as a typical upstate county without particular distinction. It remains competitive among regional peers in the state.

Balanced Cost and Income Profile

Tioga excels with a cost score of 76.4 (median home value $153,200, rent $914 monthly) and an income score of 30.2 (median household income $71,791). This combination of modest housing costs and reasonable earnings creates genuine middle-class stability.

Tax Burden Worth Monitoring

Tioga's tax score of 33.4 reflects an effective rate of 2.448%, placing it in the higher range of this group and claiming a meaningful slice of household income. Data on safety, health, and schools remains under development, which will provide more complete context for families considering the county.

Solid For Working Families

Tioga County appeals to working families seeking affordable housing, reasonable incomes, and rural authenticity in the Southern Tier. Its balanced profile and stable economy make it a dependable choice, though residents should budget for above-average property taxes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax33.4Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth81.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk40.2WaterComing Soon
🏛33.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.2
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 Tioga County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Macomb County
Michigan
60
Median income: $76,399
Coahoma County
Mississippi
60
Median income: $36,259
Jackson County
Missouri
60
Median income: $67,178
Davidson County
Tennessee
60
Median income: $75,664
Kendall County
Texas
60
Median income: $110,498

Deep Dives

Tioga County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tioga County

via TaxByCounty

Tioga's tax rate well above national

Tioga County's effective tax rate of 2.448% sits in the 69th percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 2.09%. Its median property tax of $3,750 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though Tioga homes average just $153,200—below the national median of $281,900.

Above-average tax burden in New York

Tioga's effective rate of 2.448% substantially exceeds New York's state average of 2.046%, making it one of the higher-tax counties statewide. The median tax of $3,750 runs below the state median of $4,709 only because homes here are valued significantly less than the state average.

Second-highest rate in the region

Tioga's 2.448% rate ranks second only to Steuben County (2.523%) among the eight profiled counties, and well above regional neighbors like Tompkins (2.348%) and Seneca (2.289%). This positions Tioga as a higher-tax zone in central New York.

Annual tax on typical Tioga home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $153,200 pays approximately $3,750 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $4,070; without one, it drops to $3,450.

Challenge assessments at the town level

Tioga County's above-average tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important. Homeowners can appeal their assessments to the town assessor or board of assessment review at no cost—if your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales, an appeal could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tioga County

via CostByCounty

Tioga excels at housing affordability

Tioga County residents enjoy a rent-to-income ratio of just 15.3%—among the best in America—despite median income of $71,791 sitting below the national average of $74,755. At $914 per month, median rent combined with modest household earnings creates exceptional affordability.

Top-tier affordability within New York

Tioga County ranks as one of New York's most affordable counties, with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio beating the statewide 17.6% average by 2.3 percentage points. The $914 median rent is $219 below New York's typical, positioning Tioga as a standout value in an expensive state.

Among the cheapest in upstate cluster

Tioga County's $914 rent ranks second-lowest among our upstate peer group, surpassed only by St. Lawrence ($799) and undercutting Seneca ($925) and Steuben ($878). Its 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ties it with St. Lawrence as the region's best affordability story.

Minimal burden across housing options

Monthly rent is $914 while homeownership costs $1,017—nearly identical, indicating a balanced market where renters and buyers face similar burden. The median household income of $71,791 means renters spend just 15.3% of earnings on housing, among the lowest percentages in our comparison.

Tioga County: Upstate value champion

Tioga County delivers some of New York's best housing affordability, with sub-$915 rents and $153,000 median homes attracting budget-conscious relocators. Compare this 15.3% rent-to-income ratio against Tompkins (22.6%) or Suffolk (20.5%) to see how much your budget stretches in this underrated county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tioga County

via IncomeByCounty

Tioga nearly matches national earnings

Tioga County's median household income of $71,791 sits just 4% below the national median of $74,755, positioning it as a solidly middle-class county. This modest gap reflects a balanced local economy with manufacturing, agriculture, and service-sector jobs.

Tioga ranks near state midpoint

At $71,791, Tioga County hovers close to the New York state median of $76,433, placing it near the middle of the state's 62 counties. The county performs comparatively well for rural and Southern Tier standards.

Strong performer among rural neighbors

Tioga's $71,791 income exceeds nearby St. Lawrence ($61,900), Seneca ($66,007), and Steuben ($64,740) counties, establishing it as the regional income leader among Southern Tier peers. Only Tompkins County ($73,012) slightly edges out Tioga in this geography.

Excellent rent affordability

Tioga County boasts one of the region's lowest rent-to-income ratios at just 15.3%, with median home values of $153,200. This combination means housing costs consume a minimal share of household income, allowing families greater financial flexibility.

Leveraging Tioga's affordable lifestyle

At $71,791 in median income with exceptional housing affordability, Tioga County residents are well-positioned to save and invest. Establishing an investment portfolio, contributing to retirement accounts, and building home equity can help families in Tioga accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tioga County

via HealthByCounty

Tioga exceeds national health benchmarks

Tioga County's 78.6-year life expectancy edges above the U.S. average of 79.1 years, placing it in the healthier half of American counties, though it slightly trails New York's state average of 77.9. Only 13.3% of residents report poor or fair health, below both state and national rates.

Upper-half performer in New York

Tioga ranks in the upper half of New York counties for life expectancy and self-reported health status. At 4.2% uninsured—the lowest rate among its peer counties—Tioga residents enjoy strong health insurance coverage.

Strong health despite lower provider density

Tioga's 78.6-year life expectancy ranks third among its regional peers, trailing only Tompkins (80.9) and Suffolk (79.4). However, its 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents tie with Seneca for the lowest density in the cohort, yet health outcomes remain solid.

Low uninsurance bolsters health stability

Tioga's 4.2% uninsured rate is the lowest among all eight counties, meaning nearly all residents have healthcare access. Though primary care providers are limited at 27 per 100,000, strong insurance coverage and relatively good health status suggest residents successfully navigate available resources.

Keep your coverage strong

Tioga's low uninsured rate is a community asset—maintain it by reviewing your plan annually at ny.gov/healthplan or calling 1-855-355-5777 to ensure your coverage stays aligned with your health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tioga County

via RiskByCounty

Tioga County's Below-Average Risk

Tioga County scores 59.86 with a Relatively Low rating, placing it well below New York's state average of 69.42. The county benefits from comparatively lower exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires, though flood risk remains a consideration.

Safer Than Most New York Counties

Tioga County's composite score of 59.86 ranks it in New York's lower-risk tier, with only Seneca County (41.83) showing notably less hazard exposure. This favorable positioning reflects the county's rural character and geographic advantages.

Among Region's Safest Counties

Tioga County's 59.86 score exceeds only Seneca County (41.83) in this dataset, well below peers like Tompkins (73.86), Sullivan (78.28), and Steuben (76.88). Its tornado risk (43.77) is particularly low compared to neighboring counties facing 58+ scores.

Flooding the Primary Concern

Flood risk at 78.88 is Tioga County's dominant hazard, though still below many other New York counties. Tornado (43.77), hurricane (62.70), and wildfire (23.89) risks all remain well-controlled relative to state averages.

Flood Insurance Recommended

While Tioga County enjoys relatively low overall risk, flood insurance remains essential for any property in a floodplain or near waterways. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making separate coverage critical even in lower-risk areas.

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.