CountyScore

Walla Walla County

Washington · WA

#15 in Washington
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Walla Walla County, Washington

Walla Walla 34% above nation

Walla Walla County's composite score of 67.1 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, positioning it solidly in the nation's upper tier. This 34% advantage reflects balanced strengths across tax burden and housing costs.

Nearly at state average

Walla Walla's score of 67.1 sits just slightly below Washington's state average of 68.1, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper band of the state's counties. This near-parity suggests typical Washington livability with modest regional variations.

Balanced tax and housing benefits

Walla Walla combines a tax score of 76.9 (effective rate: 0.901%) with a cost score of 68.9, offering median home values at $375,600 and monthly rents around $1,113. These features provide reasonable financial accessibility for middle-income households.

Incomes lag behind comparables

The income score of 30.5 reflects median household income of $72,212, which trails many peer counties regionally. Health, safety, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving important quality-of-life dimensions unmeasured.

For balanced, moderate living

Walla Walla County appeals to middle-income families and professionals seeking a balanced lifestyle with reasonable taxes and manageable housing costs. It works well for those who value stability and modest spending power over cutting-edge affordability or high-income growth potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.9Cost68.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.5Risk39.6WaterComing Soon
🏛76.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.6
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 Walla Walla County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Terrell County
Georgia
66.1
Median income: $43,812
Ada County
Idaho
66.1
Median income: $88,907
Edwards County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $53,792
Harvey County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $73,269
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Median income: $92,266

Deep Dives

Walla Walla County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walla Walla County

via TaxByCounty

Walla Walla County taxes rank high nationally

Walla Walla County's effective tax rate of 0.901% exceeds the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $3,386 annually on a median $375,600 home—26% more than the national median property tax.

Among Washington's highest tax rates

Walla Walla County ranks second-highest in Washington at 0.901%, well above the state average of 0.761%. At $3,386 in median property taxes, residents pay $358 more annually than the state median of $3,028.

Highest taxes in the eastern region

Walla Walla County's 0.901% rate exceeds Yakima County (0.818%) and Whitman County (0.794%) by a significant margin. It only rivals Thurston County (0.895%) for the state's steepest tax burden.

What you'll pay on a Walla Walla County home

On a median home valued at $375,600, Walla Walla County residents pay approximately $3,386 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest, that figure climbs to $3,475 annually.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Walla Walla County homeowners paying high taxes should ensure their assessed values reflect actual market prices. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and can uncover overassessments worth hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Walla Walla County

via CostByCounty

Walla Walla County: Nearly National Average

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% sits just below the national norm, with a median household income of $72,212 supporting median rent of $1,113/month. The county performs slightly better than the national median household income of $74,755.

Right at Washington Average

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% closely mirrors Washington's state average of 18.8%, positioning it as a representative Washington market. Median rent of $1,113/month runs $89 below the state average, offering modest savings.

Mid-Range for Eastern Washington

Walla Walla County rents ($1,113/month) fall between rural alternatives like Yakima ($1,068/month) and western Washington pressure points like Thurston ($1,634/month). The county anchors eastern Washington's affordability middle ground.

Balanced Housing Load

Renters dedicate 18.5% of income to housing while homeowners invest 21.0% ($1,263/month) in ownership—a reasonable split across tenure types. The median home value of $375,600 reflects a stable, moderately-priced real estate market.

Walla Walla for Balanced Living

If you want Washington affordability without deep rural tradeoffs, Walla Walla County delivers solid wine-country economics and reasonable housing costs. Compare your current housing burden against this stable regional baseline.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walla Walla County

via IncomeByCounty

Walla Walla County earns just below the nation

Median household income in Walla Walla County is $72,212, only 3.4% below the national median of $74,755. This puts Walla Walla squarely in the middle-income band nationally.

Walla Walla trails the Washington state average

Walla Walla County's median household income of $72,212 falls about 5.6% short of Washington's state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $37,562 is modestly below the state average of $40,628.

Walla Walla ranks solidly in the middle

Walla Walla County ($72,212) outearns Wahkiakum ($57,091) and Whitman ($52,893) but earns less than Stevens County ($67,405), Yakima County ($68,015), Whatcom County ($80,989), and Thurston County ($93,985). It represents a moderate-income county in this regional comparison.

Balanced income and housing costs

Walla Walla County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% falls in the middle range of this group, meaning housing costs consume about 18.5% of median household income. The median home value of $375,600 is accessible for households earning near the county median.

Build wealth with consistent saving habits

With moderate housing costs and middle-tier incomes, Walla Walla residents can establish a regular investment schedule after covering essentials. Automatic monthly transfers to a brokerage or retirement account create wealth-building momentum without requiring lifestyle changes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Walla Walla County

via HealthByCounty

Walla Walla County below national health benchmarks

At 77.7 years, Walla Walla County residents live about 1.6 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. The county's 18.1% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average, indicating higher rates of chronic disease and health challenges.

Below Washington's health average

Walla Walla County's life expectancy of 77.7 years ranks below Washington's 78.1-year average, placing it in the lower half of state counties. Its 8.5% uninsured rate beats the state average of 9.0%, though a meaningful segment of residents still lacks coverage.

Middle-tier health outcomes in region

Walla Walla County's 77.7-year life expectancy ranks between Yakima (75.0 years) and Whitman (78.1 years), showing middling outcomes for the broader region. Its 101 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents the highest rate in the region, partially offsetting lower life expectancy.

Best primary care access in the region

Walla Walla County leads neighboring counties with 101 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, supporting accessible routine care despite health challenges. The county offers 390 mental health providers per 100,000, complementing primary care, though 8.5% uninsured means some residents face cost barriers.

Get insured in Walla Walla County

One in 12 Walla Walla County residents remain uninsured despite strong provider availability, missing access to routine care and preventive services. Check Healthcare.gov or Washington's marketplace to find a plan that works for your situation and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Walla Walla County

via RiskByCounty

Walla Walla County shows moderate risk overall

Walla Walla County scores 60.37 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and slightly below Washington's state average of 70.01. The county sits in a comfortable middle ground compared to the nation's highest-risk regions.

Below-average risk within Washington

Walla Walla County ranks favorably within Washington's disaster risk spectrum, with a composite score of 60.37 that sits beneath the state average. Its position reflects a more manageable hazard environment than western Washington counties.

Comparable to Stevens County to the north

Walla Walla County's risk score of 60.37 closely mirrors Stevens County (60.34) and outpaces Whitman County (39.76) to the north. Both counties experience similar wildfire and earthquake exposure across the interior Pacific Northwest.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate threats

Wildfire risk peaks at 83.52 in Walla Walla County, driven by dry summers, grassland fuels, and proximity to eastern Oregon's fire-prone terrain. Earthquake risk of 90.55 reflects proximity to the Blue Mountains and broader Cascadia subduction system, while floods (64.79) occur mainly along river corridors.

Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage

Walla Walla County homeowners should ensure wildfire insurance and defensible space clearance around structures, especially in foothill and rural areas. Earthquake coverage is strongly recommended given the 90.55 risk score, and those near the Walla Walla River should verify flood insurance status.

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.