CountyScore

Tuolumne County

California · CA

#16 in California
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Tuolumne County, California

Tuolumne ranks solidly above national median

Tuolumne County's composite score of 65.5 places it in the 65th percentile nationally, 15.5 points above the national median. The Sierra foothills county delivers strong value through balanced housing affordability and tax efficiency.

Outperforms California average

Tuolumne's 65.5 score exceeds California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the upper-middle range of state counties. The achievement reflects mountain county affordability combined with proximity to greater opportunities.

Strong tax efficiency and affordability

Tuolumne offers a cost score of 60.8 with median home value at $406,200 and rent at $1,247 monthly, plus a tax score of 83.3 and effective rate of 0.674%. These combine to create real household savings potential.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 30.6 and median household income of $72,259 lag state averages, reflecting limited local wage growth. Additional data on schools, safety, and health will complete the livability assessment.

For outdoor-minded families and creatives

Tuolumne suits families who value Sierra lifestyle, outdoor recreation, and small-town authenticity alongside reasonable housing costs. Remote workers and those with outside income sources thrive here, but traditional wage seekers may find opportunities limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.3Cost60.8SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk14.8WaterComing Soon
🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.8
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 Tuolumne County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Ford County
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Penobscot County
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York County
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Deep Dives

Tuolumne County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tuolumne County

via TaxByCounty

Tuolumne's tax rate slightly below state average

Tuolumne County's effective tax rate of 0.674% sits modestly below California's 0.714% average, placing it among the middle-tier counties statewide. The median property tax of $2,737 exceeds the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $406,200.

Moderate tax rate across California

Tuolumne ranks slightly below the state average with an effective rate of 0.674% compared to California's 0.714%. The median tax of $2,737 falls substantially below the state median of $4,045 due to relatively lower home prices in the county.

Middle ground among mountain and valley counties

Tuolumne's 0.674% effective rate falls between Trinity (0.539%) and Tehama (0.632%) to the north, and Stanislaus (0.709%) to the west. The rate positions Tuolumne as more affordable than Sutter (0.779%), Tulare (0.730%), and Sonoma (0.716%).

A $406,200 home costs $2,737 yearly

The typical Tuolumne homeowner with a $406,200 property pays approximately $2,737 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total reaches $2,887.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

While Tuolumne's tax rate sits near the state average, homeowners should still examine their property valuations for accuracy. A successful appeal can lower your annual tax bill, especially if your home's market value has shifted since the last assessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tuolumne County

via CostByCounty

Tuolumne beats state affordability standard

Tuolumne County residents spend 20.7% of income on rent, below California's 22.4% average and competitive with the national norm. At $1,247 per month, median rent is 23% cheaper than the state median, though mountain-community character means lower median income ($72,259).

Tuolumne: affordable mountain living

Tuolumne ranks among California's lower-cost counties for housing, with a median home value of $406,200. The county combines mountain location, outdoor recreation access, and reasonable affordability—a rare California triple.

Tuolumne splits the Valley-to-Coast spectrum

Renters in Tuolumne pay $1,247 monthly—more than Tulare ($1,206) but far less than Sonoma ($2,093)—making it a middle option for those seeking elevation and scenery without full rural isolation. Median income ($72,259) is higher than rural Trinity or Tehama, reflecting better employment diversity.

Tuolumne housing cost breakdown

A Tuolumne household earning $72,259 annually spends roughly $14,957 on rent (20.7% of income) or $19,536 on mortgage costs. This moderate housing burden leaves reasonable space for other expenses while maintaining the county's mountain-community character.

Tuolumne attracts outdoor lifestyle seekers

If you want California mountains plus reasonable housing costs, Tuolumne delivers—with 20.7% rent-to-income ratio and easy access to Yosemite. Remote workers and early retirees seeking scenery will find Tuolumne's $1,247 rent and $406,200 median home value compelling alternatives to coastal counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tuolumne County

via IncomeByCounty

Tuolumne slightly below national norm

Tuolumne County's median household income of $72,259 runs 3% below the national median of $74,755. The Sierra foothills county supports modest middle-class earnings, though below U.S. averages.

Below California's earnings bar

At $72,259, Tuolumne trails California's median household income of $87,001 by 17%. Per capita income of $41,372 also sits below the state average of $43,669, reflecting a smaller, more dispersed economic base.

Middle tier of Sierra/Valley peers

Tuolumne ($72,259) earns more than Tehama ($61,834), Trinity ($53,498), and Tulare ($69,489) but less than Sutter ($75,450) and Stanislaus ($79,661). The county occupies a stable middle position in regional income rankings.

Balanced housing and income

Tuolumne's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the best in this cohort, and median home values of $406,200 remain reasonable relative to the $72,259 median income. Housing affordability supports homeownership without overwhelming household budgets.

Build on Sierra stability

With median household income of $72,259 and favorable rent ratios, Tuolumne residents can establish solid retirement savings and explore investment real estate. The county's natural appeal and affordable pricing create long-term wealth-building opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tuolumne County

via HealthByCounty

Tuolumne's health outcomes near national average

At 76.4 years, Tuolumne's life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The 15.8% poor/fair health rate is notably better than the national average of 18%, indicating relatively good population health.

Below California but better than neighbors

Tuolumne's 76.4-year life expectancy falls slightly below California's 78.5-year average by 2.1 years, yet the 15.8% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's better performers. The county shows mixed but generally solid health metrics.

Outperforming most regional peers

Tuolumne's 76.4-year life expectancy exceeds Stanislaus (75.4 years) and Tulare (75.5 years), though it trails Sonoma (80.6 years) significantly. The 15.8% poor/fair health rate is among the region's best, suggesting healthier underlying population patterns.

Strong coverage with solid provider access

At 5.7%, Tuolumne's uninsured rate is among the lowest in the state, below the 7.2% state average. The county offers 63 primary care providers per 100,000 and 253 mental health providers per 100,000, providing reasonable access to both primary and behavioral health services.

Maintain Tuolumne's health advantage

With less than 1 in 17 residents uninsured, Tuolumne has strong coverage, but staying covered is essential to maintaining health gains. Verify your insurance status through Covered California or local health departments to keep your protection in place.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tuolumne County

via RiskByCounty

Tuolumne carries moderate national risk

Tuolumne County's composite risk score of 85.21 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, slightly below the national average. Despite this classification, specific hazards in the county demand serious attention.

Below-average risk for California

Tuolumne's 85.21 score sits below California's 88.72 state average, positioning it in the safer half of state counties. However, wildfire risk at 99.33 represents an extreme local vulnerability.

Lower risk than Stanislaus and Tulare

Tuolumne (85.21) ranks substantially lower than Stanislaus (96.88) and Tulare (97.04) to the east. The county's Sierra foothill location reduces earthquake exposure compared to valley neighbors.

Wildfire is your extreme hazard

Wildfire risk at 99.33 places Tuolumne among California's most fire-vulnerable counties—a stark contrast to its moderate overall rating. Flood risk (81.04) presents a secondary concern in canyon areas and along major rivers.

Wildfire insurance is absolutely essential

Wildfire coverage must be your first priority—Tuolumne's score rivals the state's worst fire zones. Add earthquake insurance for seismic protection in the Sierra region, and confirm flood coverage for properties near waterways.

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.