Tioga County

Pennsylvania · PA

#19 in Pennsylvania
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Tioga County, Pennsylvania

Tioga ranks comfortably above average

Tioga County's composite score of 69.6 runs 39% higher than the national median of 50.0, confirming its standing as a more livable county by U.S. standards. This performance rests on a foundation of affordable housing and manageable tax burdens.

Strong position in Pennsylvania

Tioga's score of 69.6 places it above the Pennsylvania average of 66.0, securing its ranking among the state's better-performing counties. The 3.6-point edge reflects balanced fundamentals across available metrics.

Housing and taxes stand out

Tioga excels in affordability with a cost score of 81.4 and median home values of just $176,000—the lowest among these eight counties. The tax score of 68.8 and effective rate of 1.189% keep costs predictable for property owners.

Lower incomes a limitation

The income score of 24.5 and median household income of $62,932 indicate limited wage growth and earning potential in the county. Data gaps on education, health, safety, and environment prevent fuller assessment of quality of life.

Perfect for budget-first priorities

Tioga suits budget-conscious homebuyers, retirees, and remote workers who can live on moderate incomes without sacrifice. Its lowest-in-group home values and strong affordability make it a standout for those seeking maximum housing value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.8Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.5Risk40.2WaterComing Soon
🏛68.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼24.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
71.5
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

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 Rate Slightly Below National Norm

Tioga County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 1.189%, below the national median of 1.281%. Despite homes being more affordable here, the county's median property tax of $2,093 remains nearly 22% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Below Average for Pennsylvania

Tioga's effective tax rate of 1.189% edges below Pennsylvania's average of 1.317%, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The median annual tax of $2,093 is 21% below the state average of $2,657, offering meaningful savings for county residents.

Mid-Range Among Northeast Pennsylvania

Tioga's 1.189% rate sits between Susquehanna (1.148%) and Union (1.196%), making it a regional middle ground. Though homes are less expensive than in some neighboring counties, tax burden remains competitive across the northeastern region.

Affordable Homes, Modest Tax Obligation

A median Tioga County home valued at $176,000 generates an annual property tax of $2,093, among the lowest in the state by dollar amount. The mortgage-inclusive bill reaches $2,178, while the non-mortgage figure sits at $2,025, keeping costs predictable and low.

Verification Could Lower Your Payment

Even in lower-tax Tioga, many homeowners receive inflated assessments that don't reflect current property values. Filing a property tax appeal is free and straightforward—a small effort that frequently yields tangible refunds or ongoing savings.

Cost of Living in Tioga County

via CostByCounty

Tioga's Rent Stays Close to State Norm

Tioga County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio sits just slightly below Pennsylvania's 16.5% average, making it nearly aligned with state housing affordability trends. Renters earn $62,932 annually while paying $850/month, a manageable slice of household income.

Solidly Mid-Range Pennsylvania Affordability

Tioga ranks slightly above the state median for affordability, with a 16.2% rent-to-income ratio that edges out Pennsylvania's 16.5% average by 0.3 percentage points. Its $850 monthly rent falls between Sullivan County's bargain basement and Wayne County's premium rates.

Moderately Priced in the Northeast Cluster

Tioga's $850 rent sits between Sullivan ($781) and Susquehanna ($913), positioning it as a middle option among Pennsylvania's northern tier counties. Home purchases average $176,000—the lowest of the nearby counties—making it attractive for budget-conscious buyers.

Tioga: Balanced Housing-to-Income Ratio

Tioga residents earning $62,932 median income direct 16.2% ($850/month) toward rent or comparable amounts to mortgages ($771/month). This split allows households adequate breathing room for groceries, healthcare, and savings.

Tioga Offers Rural Charm and Value

With the lowest home values ($176,000) and moderate rent ($850) in its region, Tioga County rewards relocators seeking small-town Pennsylvania living without premium price tags. Your comparison should weigh Tioga's affordability against nearby options like Sullivan and Susquehanna.

Income & Jobs in Tioga County

via IncomeByCounty

Tioga ranks below US income median

Tioga County's median household income of $62,932 lags the national median of $74,755 by 15.8%—a significant $11,823 gap. This shortfall reflects Tioga's reliance on manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, sectors facing structural economic headwinds nationally.

Among lowest-earning counties statewide

Tioga's $62,932 sits $6,682 below Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, placing the county in the lower quarter statewide. Per capita income of $32,785 also trails the state average of $37,407, suggesting lower earning across all demographic groups.

Lowest income in regional peer group

Tioga's $62,932 median ranks it lowest among the eight surveyed counties, trailing even Warren ($59,013 in one comparison) though slightly above Wayne. Neighboring Susquehanna ($66,930) and Union ($72,894) show stronger household earnings, underscoring Tioga's economic challenges in rural north-central PA.

Housing costs modest relative to income

A 16.2% rent-to-income ratio keeps Tioga households well within affordability norms, despite lower overall earnings. With a median home value of $176,000 and manageable rents, housing remains accessible even for below-average-income families.

Stretch dollars through strategic planning

Tioga residents facing lower incomes can maximize wealth-building by leveraging low housing costs and pursuing skill-training programs in growing sectors. Prioritize employer retirement matches, community college certifications, and side income streams to close the earnings gap with state and national peers.

Health in Tioga County

via HealthByCounty

Tioga Tracks Close to National Health Patterns

Tioga County's 76.3-year life expectancy sits below the U.S. average of 78.9 years, reflecting regional health trends that need attention. With 18.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health, Tioga outperforms some neighboring counties but still shows room for improvement in overall population wellness. These figures suggest manageable but real health challenges across the county.

Slightly Below Pennsylvania Average Life Expectancy

At 76.3 years, Tioga County's life expectancy tracks just 0.1 years below Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier. The county's 18.4% poor/fair health rate sits below state patterns, indicating residents perceive their health more positively than the broader Pennsylvania picture. Tioga demonstrates moderate health outcomes within Pennsylvania.

Exceptional Mental Health Provider Capacity

Tioga County boasts 147 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this regional group—alongside 44 primary care providers per 100,000. This robust provider network, far exceeding Sullivan County's 17 mental health providers and comparable to Union County's 193, positions Tioga residents well for behavioral and preventive healthcare. Strong provider availability supports early intervention and ongoing treatment.

Lower Uninsured Rate, Better Access Potential

Tioga County's 7.6% uninsured rate sits below Pennsylvania's 7.0% state average, meaning more residents have insurance pathways to care. Combined with strong primary care (44 per 100K) and mental health (147 per 100K) provider availability, most Tioga residents have reasonable access to healthcare services. The remaining uninsured still face barriers that quality coverage could eliminate.

Bridge the Coverage Gap in Tioga County

Even with relatively low uninsured rates, Tioga County's 7.6% without coverage represents thousands who could benefit from affordable insurance options. Taking five minutes to explore plans on healthcare.gov or connecting with Tioga County's community health programs could provide immediate access to the strong provider network available locally. Enrollment assistance is free and available year-round through federally qualified health centers.

Disaster Risk in Tioga County

via RiskByCounty

Tioga County sits at moderate national risk

Tioga County's composite risk score of 59.76 places it in the middle range of U.S. counties, higher than many American communities but not in the highest-risk category. This moderate exposure reflects the county's vulnerability to multiple hazard types concentrated in Pennsylvania's northern geography.

Below state average but still exposed

Tioga County ranks below Pennsylvania's average of 67.45 with a score of 59.76, placing it in the relatively low-risk tier statewide. However, this position still reflects meaningful hazard exposure compared to Pennsylvania's safest counties like Sullivan.

Moderate risk in northern region

Tioga County (59.76) sits between Susquehanna County (53.59) and Warren County (65.55) in the regional risk hierarchy, driven by the county's exceptionally high flood risk of 78.94. Among northern Pennsylvania neighbors, Tioga faces the most substantial water-related hazards.

Flood risk is Tioga's primary concern

Tioga County's most pressing hazard is flood risk at 78.94, significantly above the state average and the highest among neighboring counties. Secondary concerns include hurricane risk (71.84) and moderate tornado risk (23.98), creating multiple exposure vectors for residents.

Flood insurance is not optional here

Tioga County residents must prioritize flood insurance given the county's exceptionally high flood score of 78.94—among the highest in Pennsylvania. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making dedicated flood coverage a critical financial protection for this community.

ByCounty Network

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