CountyScore

Ventura County

California · CA

#51 in California
54
County Score

County Report Card

About Ventura County, California

Ventura slightly above national median

Ventura County's composite score of 52.7 places it just above the national median of 50.0, in the 53rd percentile nationally. Strong incomes and favorable taxes are offset by California's most pressing livability challenge: housing costs.

Below California's average livability

Ventura's 52.7 score trails California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The gap reflects the county's coastal location and resulting housing inflation.

Highest income levels in the group

Ventura leads with an income score of 53.4 and median household income of $107,327—the second-highest in this cohort. The tax score of 82.8 with a 0.693% effective rate provides additional economic advantage.

Housing costs dominate affordability concerns

Ventura's cost score of 30.0 is the worst in this group, with median home value at $768,400 and rent at $2,248 monthly. Even high incomes struggle against these coastal California prices.

For established executives and established families

Ventura suits well-established professionals and families with $100,000+ household incomes seeking Southern California coastal living and quality of life. First-time buyers and wage earners should look elsewhere, as housing costs consume far too much household wealth here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.8Cost30SafetyComing SoonHealth75.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome53.4Risk0.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠30
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼53.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.6
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 Ventura County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bronx County
New York
54
Median income: $49,036
Rockwall County
Texas
54
Median income: $124,917
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
54.1
Median income: $86,266
Prince George's County
Maryland
54.1
Median income: $100,708
Dutchess County
New York
54.1
Median income: $97,273

Deep Dives

Ventura County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ventura County

via TaxByCounty

Ventura's taxes reflect premium home values

Ventura County's effective tax rate of 0.693% sits just below California's 0.714% average, but its median property tax of $5,326 nearly doubles the national median of $2,690. The county's median home value of $768,400 explains the high absolute tax burden despite a modest effective rate.

Below-average rate, above-average tax bill

Ventura ranks slightly below the state average with an effective rate of 0.693% compared to California's 0.714%. However, its median tax of $5,326 substantially exceeds the state median of $4,045, placing Ventura among the highest in absolute dollars despite its moderate effective rate.

Similar to Sonoma, lower than most inland peers

Ventura's 0.693% effective rate closely mirrors Sonoma (0.716%) in coastal Southern California, and both counties' high tax bills reflect expensive real estate. Inland counties like Sutter (0.779%) and Tulare (0.730%) carry higher effective rates but far lower absolute taxes due to cheaper homes.

A $768,400 home costs $5,326 yearly

The typical Ventura homeowner with a $768,400 property pays approximately $5,326 in annual property taxes at the current effective rate of 0.693%. With mortgage-related assessments, that figure climbs to $5,944.

High-value homes deserve rigorous assessment review

Ventura homeowners with expensive properties should carefully review their assessments, as even small percentage overvaluations translate into large dollar savings. An appeal is particularly worthwhile given the county's high absolute tax burdens.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ventura County

via CostByCounty

Ventura ranks among California's priciest

Ventura County residents spend 25.1% of income on rent, the highest of the eight counties profiled and well above California's 22.4% average. At $2,248 per month, median rent is 39% above the state median, reflecting Ventura's Southern California coastal location and proximity to Los Angeles employment.

Ventura competes with state's costliest

Ventura ranks in the upper tier of California counties for housing costs, with a median home value of $768,400 that rivals San Francisco Bay Area communities. The county's coastal Southern California location commands premium pricing.

Ventura leads affordability comparison

Renters in Ventura pay $2,248 monthly versus $1,247 in Tuolumne—an 80% difference—and nearly match Sonoma's $2,093. However, Ventura's median income ($107,327) is the highest profiled, slightly outpacing Sonoma's $102,840.

Where Ventura dollars go

A Ventura household earning $107,327 annually spends approximately $26,976 on rent (25.1% of income) or $28,920 on mortgage payments. Despite strong median income, housing still consumes over a quarter of household earnings, limiting savings capacity.

Ventura: premium pricing for coast access

Ventura's $2,248 rent and 25.1% housing burden are justified primarily by coastal Southern California location and strong regional employment in aerospace and entertainment. Relocate here only if your salary ($107,000+) justifies the premium or coastal lifestyle is non-negotiable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ventura County

via IncomeByCounty

Ventura's prosperity outpaces America

Ventura County's median household income of $107,327 runs 44% higher than the national median of $74,755. This exceptional performance reflects the county's robust job market, affluent suburbs, and proximity to Southern California's economic hub.

California's highest-income tier

At $107,327, Ventura ranks among California's wealthiest counties, exceeding the state median of $87,001 by 23%. Per capita income of $48,416 also surpasses the state average of $43,669, demonstrating broad-based prosperity.

Southern California's income leader

Ventura ($107,327) rivals Sonoma ($102,840) as California's top earner, significantly outpacing all other counties in this analysis. The county's coastal location and Los Angeles metro integration drive exceptional household income.

High income meets steep costs

Ventura's 25.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this cohort, and median home values of $768,400 approach Sonoma's levels. Strong income is essential here; even well-earning households face compressed housing affordability.

Aggressive wealth-building opportunities

With median household income of $107,327, Ventura residents can maximize retirement contributions, diversify investment portfolios, and explore high-yield financial products. High earners should prioritize tax-efficient strategies and long-term wealth preservation in this expensive market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ventura County

via HealthByCounty

Ventura's life expectancy leads the nation

At 80.7 years, Ventura residents live over 4.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The 17.6% poor/fair health rate is also better than the national average of 18%, reflecting strong overall population health.

Among California's healthiest counties

Ventura's 80.7-year life expectancy exceeds California's 78.5-year average by 2.2 years, placing it among the state's top performers. The 17.6% poor/fair health rate also ranks better than state norms.

Competing with the region's healthiest

Ventura's 80.7-year life expectancy rivals Sonoma's 80.6 years, making both counties standouts in California health outcomes. Ventura also maintains strong provider access with 81 primary care providers per 100,000 and 487 mental health providers per 100,000.

Excellent coverage and good provider access

Ventura's 8.5% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average of 7.2%, though this is offset by solid primary care access at 81 providers per 100,000. The county's 487 mental health providers per 100,000 are among the region's highest, supporting comprehensive behavioral health services.

Maintain coverage to stay healthy

While Ventura has healthier outcomes than most counties, about 1 in 12 residents still lack insurance. Check your coverage status through Covered California or local health departments to ensure you can maintain access to the quality care that supports the county's strong health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ventura County

via RiskByCounty

Ventura faces nation's most extreme exposure

Ventura County's composite risk score of 99.40 ranks it among the nation's highest-risk counties overall. This Relatively High rating reflects near-maximum vulnerability across nearly every major hazard type.

Tied with Sonoma for California's worst

Ventura's 99.40 score matches Sonoma County (99.08) as California's most at-risk county, dwarfing the state average of 88.72. The county's coastal and mountain geography creates a uniquely dangerous hazard convergence.

Far riskier than Los Angeles and Kern

Ventura (99.40) significantly exceeds neighboring Los Angeles and Kern county risk profiles. Only Sonoma statewide approaches Ventura's extreme composite exposure.

Wildfires, earthquakes, floods all maximum

Ventura faces wildfire risk at 99.78 (California's highest), earthquake risk at 99.65, and flood risk at 99.27. Tornado risk at 42.43 also ranks among state highs, creating a four-hazard perfect storm.

Comprehensive coverage non-negotiable

Separate earthquake, flood, and wildfire policies are mandatory—standard homeowners won't cover any of your primary hazards. Work with an insurance broker immediately to layer all four coverages; Ventura's extreme risk demands belt-and-suspenders protection.

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.