CountyScore

Tulare County

California · CA

#28 in California
60.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Tulare County, California

Tulare outranks national median clearly

Tulare County's composite score of 66.9 ranks in the top 67th percentile nationally, 16.9 points above the national median of 50.0. The Central Valley county balances affordability with reasonable tax burden.

Above California state average

Tulare's 66.9 score surpasses California's state average of 61.3, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. This achievement reflects the Central Valley's cost advantages relative to coastal California.

Affordable housing with moderate taxes

Tulare features a cost score of 65.3 with median home value at $303,000 and monthly rent of $1,206—well below state averages. The tax score of 81.7 with a 0.730% effective rate provides additional household savings.

Incomes need to catch up

The income score of 28.7 reflects median household income of $69,489, limiting wealth accumulation despite lower housing costs. Future data on schools, health, and safety will reveal additional livability dimensions.

For working families seeking stability

Tulare suits working and middle-class families seeking agricultural roots and affordable homeownership in the Central Valley. It works less well for high-income professionals or those prioritizing urban services, but offers genuine security for modest wage earners.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.7Cost65.3SafetyComing SoonHealth62.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.7Risk3WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3
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 Tulare County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Henry County
Georgia
60.4
Median income: $81,612
Coles County
Illinois
60.4
Median income: $56,040
Luzerne County
Pennsylvania
60.4
Median income: $62,321
Bowie County
Texas
60.4
Median income: $59,295
Coryell County
Texas
60.4
Median income: $68,904

Deep Dives

Tulare County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tulare County

via TaxByCounty

Tulare's tax rate slightly above state norm

Tulare County's effective tax rate of 0.730% exceeds California's 0.714% average, putting it among the higher-tax counties statewide. The median property tax of $2,213 exceeds the national median of $2,690 despite Tulare's median home value of $303,000.

Above-average tax rate across California

Tulare ranks above the state median with an effective rate of 0.730% compared to California's 0.714%. The median tax of $2,213 falls well below the state median of $4,045 due to lower home prices, but Tulare's effective rate remains notably elevated.

Higher taxes than San Joaquin Valley peers

Tulare's 0.730% effective rate exceeds nearby Stanislaus (0.709%) and falls below Sutter (0.779%). Among Central Valley counties, only Sutter surpasses Tulare's burden, while most other regions remain lower.

A $303,000 home costs $2,213 yearly

The typical Tulare homeowner with a $303,000 property pays approximately $2,213 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.730%. With mortgage-related assessments, that rises to $2,469.

Challenge your valuation if it seems excessive

Tulare homeowners paying above-average effective rates should review their property assessments for potential overvaluation. An appeal could reduce your annual tax burden and is worth pursuing if your home's value has declined since last assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tulare County

via CostByCounty

Tulare rents below state average

Tulare County residents spend 20.8% of income on rent, comfortably below California's 22.4% average and just under the national norm. At $1,206 per month, median rent is 26% cheaper than the state median, reflecting Tulare's Central Valley agricultural economy.

Tulare ranks among California's cheapest

Tulare sits in the lower-cost tier statewide with a median home value of just $303,000, making it one of California's most affordable counties for homebuyers. The county's agricultural heritage translates directly to lower land values than coastal or Bay Area regions.

Tulare undercuts Stanislaus and Sonoma

Renters in Tulare pay $1,206 monthly versus $1,528 in Stanislaus and $2,093 in Sonoma, offering savings of 21% and 42% respectively. Tulare's median income of $69,489 is lower than Sonoma and Ventura but competitive with other Valley counties.

Tulare housing affordability breakdown

A Tulare household earning $69,489 annually dedicates roughly $14,961 to rent (20.8% of income) or $16,596 to mortgage payments. This leaves above-average flexibility for other necessities and savings compared to most California counties.

Tulare for agricultural and energy workers

Tulare's low rent and strong housing affordability attract workers in agriculture, energy, and food processing—the region's primary employers. Remote workers and families relocating from coastal California can dramatically reduce housing costs while maintaining reasonable access to Fresno and Bakersfield job markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tulare County

via IncomeByCounty

Tulare lags U.S. earnings averages

Tulare County's median household income of $69,489 trails the national median of $74,755 by 7%. The San Joaquin Valley county's economy, anchored by agriculture and manufacturing, produces below-average U.S. earnings.

Valley earnings below state norm

At $69,489, Tulare falls 20% short of California's median household income of $87,001, ranking among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $27,550 significantly trails the state average of $43,669, the lowest in this cohort.

Lowest per capita in the group

Tulare ($69,489) earns less than Stanislaus ($79,661), Sutter ($75,450), and Tuolumne ($72,259), but more than Tehama ($61,834) and Trinity ($53,498). The county's per capita income of $27,550 is notably depressed, indicating significant income inequality.

Affordable housing, stretched wages

Tulare's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio is among California's best, and median home values of $303,000 remain highly affordable. Low housing costs provide relief, though median household income of $69,489 still limits overall financial flexibility.

Leverage Valley affordability

Tulare residents earning $69,489 can capitalize on the county's affordable housing to build homeownership equity and establish starter investment accounts. Focus on debt reduction and employer retirement plans to grow wealth despite modest wage levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tulare County

via HealthByCounty

Tulare faces California's worst health outcomes

At 75.5 years, Tulare residents live less than a year below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. More than 1 in 4 residents (26.2%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this county cohort and well above the national average of 18%.

Among California's lowest health performers

Tulare's 75.5-year life expectancy ranks significantly below California's 78.5-year average by 3 years, and the 26.2% poor/fair health rate is the worst in the state. The county faces acute health challenges across multiple indicators.

The region's most severe health burden

Tulare's 75.5-year life expectancy trails Sonoma (80.6 years) by over 5 years and exceeds only Stanislaus among regional peers. At 46 primary care providers per 100,000, the county ranks among the most under-resourced regionally.

Access barriers compound health problems

Tulare's 9.3% uninsured rate is the highest in the region and exceeds the state average of 7.2%, leaving nearly 1 in 11 residents without coverage. The county's 46 primary care providers per 100,000 and 318 mental health providers per 100,000 are both below regional standards, limiting care availability.

Getting covered is urgent in Tulare

Nearly 1 in 10 Tulare residents lack health insurance—significantly above state average—compounding the county's existing health challenges. Contact Covered California immediately or visit your local county health department to explore affordable coverage options without delay.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tulare County

via RiskByCounty

Tulare ranks among highest national risks

Tulare County's composite risk score of 97.04 places it firmly in the Relatively High category nationally. This score reflects exposure to four major hazard types at dangerous levels.

Top tier of California's riskiest counties

Tulare's 97.04 score ranks it among California's five highest-risk counties, nearly 10 points above the state average of 88.72. The county's agricultural and mountain terrain concentrate multiple hazards.

Nearly tied with Stanislaus for regional worst

Tulare (97.04) nearly matches Stanislaus County (96.88) as the Central Valley's most at-risk county. Both counties face severe earthquake, flood, and wildfire exposure simultaneously.

Earthquakes, floods, wildfires all peak

Tulare faces near-maximum risk across earthquake (97.87), flood (98.12), and wildfire (97.96) hazards. Tornado risk at 30.34 also exceeds most California counties, creating a uniquely dangerous four-hazard profile.

Quadruple coverage protects your property

Standard homeowners insurance is insufficient; you need separate earthquake, flood, and wildfire policies immediately. Given Tulare's rare tornado exposure, confirm your agent discusses wind coverage and structural reinforcement.

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.