CountyScore

Ulster County

New York · NY

#49 in New York
55.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Ulster County, New York

Ulster Outperforms National Average

Ulster County scores 52.5 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This solid score reflects a county that delivers livable conditions across its main measured dimensions.

Slightly Below New York Norm

Ulster's composite score of 52.5 falls modestly below New York's state average of 54.7, positioning it as a below-average performer within the state. It remains competitive with neighboring Hudson Valley counties despite this gap.

Tax-Friendly With Decent Incomes

Ulster excels with a tax score of 47.6 (effective rate 1.944%, lowest in this group) and an income score of 36.8 (median household income $81,804). These strengths combine to offer households genuine financial breathing room and tax efficiency.

Housing Costs Rising Steadily

Ulster's cost score of 60.0 reflects median home values of $315,100 and monthly rent of $1,335—substantially higher than rural upstate but lower than Long Island or college towns. Housing remains the primary constraint on affordability, even for its moderate-income households.

Ideal For Tax-Conscious Professionals

Ulster County suits professionals and families earning mid-to-upper incomes ($80,000+) who value tax efficiency and Hudson Valley's outdoor amenities over maximum housing affordability. Its low tax burden and reasonable incomes create genuine comfort for those who can manage moderate housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax47.6Cost60SafetyComing SoonHealth76.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.8Risk12.3WaterComing Soon
🏛47.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.3
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 Ulster County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broward County
Florida
55.2
Median income: $74,534
Schenectady County
New York
55.2
Median income: $76,989
Baltimore city
Maryland
55.3
Median income: $59,623
Tompkins County
New York
55.1
Median income: $73,012
San Patricio County
Texas
55.1
Median income: $67,512

Deep Dives

Ulster County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ulster County

via TaxByCounty

Ulster's tax rate ranks among nation's lowest

Ulster County's effective tax rate of 1.944% sits in the 35th percentile nationally, below the national median of 2.09%. Its median property tax of $6,124 more than doubles the national median of $2,690 because Ulster homes average $315,100—significantly above the national median.

Second-lowest rate in the state sample

Ulster's effective rate of 1.944% ranks second-lowest among the eight profiled counties (behind only Suffolk's 1.854%) and well below New York's state average of 2.046%. The median tax of $6,124 exceeds the state median of $4,709 due to elevated home values in this Hudson Valley county.

Favorable rate among Hudson Valley

Ulster's 1.944% rate is notably lower than Sullivan County (2.164%) and all upstate peers, from Seneca (2.289%) to Steuben (2.523%). The trade-off: actual tax dollars run higher here due to premium home values, making Ulster a middle-cost option for the region.

Annual tax on typical Ulster home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $315,100 pays approximately $6,124 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $6,543; without one, it drops to $5,480.

Favorable rate but verify your assessment

Ulster County's below-average tax rate is a plus, but high home values mean assessment errors carry substantial cost. If your property's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent sales of similar homes, file a free appeal with your town assessor—even modest reductions yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ulster County

via CostByCounty

Ulster earners lead, but rents follow

Ulster County's median household income of $81,804 ranks highest in our upstate comparison and tops the national average of $74,755, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% significantly exceeds the national norm. At $1,335 per month, median rent reflects Hudson Valley's growing popularity and property demand.

Above-average costs in Hudson Valley

Ulster County's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New York's statewide 17.6% average, positioning it among the state's less affordable counties. The $1,335 median rent costs $202 more than the state typical, reflecting Hudson Valley's appeal to New York City commuters and remote workers.

Premium positioning among regional peers

Ulster County's $1,335 rent dramatically exceeds nearby upstate alternatives—Seneca ($925), Steuben ($878), and Tioga ($914)—by 46–53%. Even Sullivan County to its north charges $336 less, though Ulster's higher median income ($81,804) provides greater capacity to absorb these costs.

Ownership substantially more expensive

Renters pay $1,335 monthly while homeowners face $1,571—a $236 gap indicating a significantly pricier ownership market. Despite above-average income of $81,804, residents still dedicate 19.6% to rent; homeowners commit 23% of earnings, requiring substantial financial capacity.

Ulster appeals to NYC-area escapees

Ulster County attracts higher-income relocators seeking Hudson Valley lifestyle near New York City, with $1,335 median rent and $315,000 median homes reflecting this demand. If you're considering this region, verify that your household income exceeds $85,000 to maintain a sustainable 19.6% housing burden and lifestyle balance.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ulster County

via IncomeByCounty

Ulster exceeds national earning power

Ulster County's median household income of $81,804 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 9%, positioning residents above the typical American household. This advantage reflects Ulster's role as a prosperous Hudson Valley county with strong regional economic ties.

Ulster outearns most New York counties

At $81,804, Ulster County ranks in the upper tier of New York's 62 counties, exceeding the state median of $76,433 by roughly $5,400. The county benefits from Hudson Valley proximity to wealthy Westchester and New York City.

Wealthiest among regional peers

Ulster's $81,804 income substantially outpaces Sullivan County ($69,826), Tompkins County ($73,012), and all Southern Tier neighbors. Only Long Island's Suffolk County ($128,329) significantly exceeds Ulster in the broader region.

Higher income offset by home prices

Ulster's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% reflects manageable housing costs relative to income, though median home values of $315,100 show the county's appeal. The strong income cushion helps families absorb elevated housing prices that reflect the area's desirability.

Capitalizing on Ulster's strong earnings

With median household income at $81,804, Ulster County residents enjoy above-average earnings that support aggressive wealth building. Strategies including diversified investment portfolios, real estate leverage, education funding, and tax-efficient retirement planning can help families amplify their financial advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ulster County

via HealthByCounty

Ulster exceeds U.S. health averages

Ulster County residents live to 78.8 years on average—slightly below the U.S. average of 79.1 but 0.9 years above New York's state average of 77.9. With 15.3% reporting poor or fair health, Ulster sits between state and national norms.

Above-average performer for New York

Ulster ranks in the upper half of New York counties for life expectancy and health status. However, its 7% uninsured rate is the highest among the eight counties and exceeds New York's 5.3% state average, leaving more residents vulnerable to care gaps.

Solid outcomes despite high uninsurance

Ulster's 78.8-year life expectancy ranks fourth among regional peers, ahead of Sullivan, St. Lawrence, and Steuben but trailing Tompkins, Suffolk, and Tioga. With 60 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Ulster's provider density ranks mid-range, yet its 422 mental health providers per 100,000 rank second only to Tompkins.

Mental health strength offset by uninsurance

Ulster boasts exceptional mental health provider density (422 per 100K), supporting robust behavioral health access. However, the county's 7% uninsured rate—the highest in this cohort—means some residents delay or forgo both physical and mental health care due to cost concerns.

Close Ulster's coverage gap

One in 14 Ulster residents lacks health insurance—the highest rate in this group. If you're uninsured, visit ny.gov/healthplan or call 1-855-355-5777 today to find affordable coverage and access the mental health and primary care resources your county offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ulster County

via RiskByCounty

Ulster County's Elevated Risk Status

Ulster County scores 87.69 with a Relatively Moderate rating, substantially exceeding New York's state average of 69.42 by 18 points. The county faces serious multi-hazard exposure, with extremely high tornado (87.56), flood (91.89), and hurricane (86.86) risks.

Second-Highest Risk in New York

Ulster County's composite score of 87.69 ranks it as New York's second-riskiest county, surpassed only by Suffolk County (97.33). Its tornado exposure (87.56) is the highest among all counties in this dataset, paired with exceptional flood and hurricane vulnerabilities.

Significantly Higher Than Regional Peers

Ulster County's 87.69 score substantially exceeds all neighboring counties in this analysis, including Sullivan (78.28), Steuben (76.88), and Tompkins (73.86). Only Suffolk County's extreme 97.33 score surpasses it, making Ulster the region's second-most hazardous location.

Tornadoes, Floods, and Hurricanes

Ulster County faces extreme tornado risk at 87.56 (the highest in this dataset), compounded by severe flood risk (91.89) and elevated hurricane exposure (86.86). These triple threats reflect the county's Catskill Mountain geography and Hudson Valley positioning, creating variable but intense storm activity.

Comprehensive Insurance Critical

Ulster County residents must secure robust tornado, hurricane wind, and flood insurance to protect against the county's severe multi-hazard exposure. Homes in valleys, near water bodies, and in exposed ridgeline areas face compounded risk and should prioritize structural reinforcement and emergency preparedness.

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.