CountyScore

Washington County

New York · NY

#20 in New York
60.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, New York

Washington: Modestly Above National Median

Washington County scores 56.9 on the CountyScore composite index, outpacing the national median of 50.0 by nearly 7 points. This ranks it at approximately the 64th percentile nationally, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties.

Slightly Ahead of New York's Average

Washington's 56.9 composite score edges past New York's state average of 54.7, reflecting modest but genuine livability advantages. The county maintains solid footing among New York's 62 counties.

Exceptional Housing Value and Affordability

Washington County's standout feature is its Cost Score of 73.3, driven by a median home value of just $185,000 and monthly rent of $1,000. This makes it one of the most affordable housing markets in the state.

Higher Tax Burden and Modest Income Levels

The county's Tax Score of 43.7 reflects a higher effective tax rate of 2.082%, limiting financial flexibility for residents. Combined with an Income Score of 30.6 and median household income of $72,342, earning power remains constrained.

Ideal for Retirees and Cost-Conscious Seekers

Washington County appeals to those prioritizing housing affordability and rural living over high incomes or tax minimization. It's well-suited for retirees, remote workers, and families willing to accept modest local wages in exchange for low housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax43.7Cost73.3SafetyComing SoonHealth77SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk43.4WaterComing Soon
🏛43.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.3
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
❤77
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.4
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 Washington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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60.8
Median income: $70,293
Wise County
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60.8
Median income: $89,897
Zavala County
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60.8
Median income: $41,887
Imperial County
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60.7
Median income: $56,393
Fulton County
Illinois
60.7
Median income: $58,617

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington taxes slightly above national

Washington County's effective tax rate of 2.082% exceeds the national median but nearly matches New York's state average of 2.046%. At $3,852 in median property taxes, the county sits above the national median of $2,690, despite having homes worth less than the national average.

Upper-middle tier in New York

Washington County ranks in the upper-middle range among New York's 62 counties for effective tax rates, meaning residents carry a heavier burden than half the state. Its median tax of $3,852 exceeds the state average of $4,709 by a modest margin.

Higher rates than nearby Warren County

Washington County's 2.082% rate runs 0.55 percentage points higher than neighboring Warren County (1.530%) and trails Wayne County (2.551%). The gap costs homeowners roughly $60 more annually compared to Warren on equivalent home values.

Median home costs $3,852 yearly

On Washington County's median home value of $185,000, expect to pay about $3,852 in annual property taxes—or roughly $4,112 with mortgage escrow included. That's approximately $321-343 per month depending on your loan situation.

Assessment appeals can lower your bill

Overassessment is common in Washington County, where many properties are valued above current market rates. You can file a free appeal with your local assessor within specified deadlines—even successful appeals typically reduce annual taxes by $200-500.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington Renters Spend Less Than U.S. Average

Washington County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national median, meaning renters here dedicate less of their earnings to housing than typical Americans. Though median household income of $72,342 trails the national average by about $2,400, affordable rents of just $1,000 monthly keep housing within reach.

New York's Most Affordable Major County

Among New York's populated counties, Washington ranks near the top for affordability with a 16.6% rent-to-income ratio beating the state average of 17.6%. At $1,000 per month, rent runs $133 cheaper than New York's typical, making Washington one of the state's best values for renters.

Middle Ground Between Rural and Urban

Washington's $1,000 rent positions it between the cheaper Southern Tier counties (Wyoming at $782, Yates at $802) and pricier Warren County ($1,089) to the north. Westchester County's stratospheric $1,876 rent illustrates the stark urban-rural divide just two hours south.

Renters Win; Owners Pay More Premium

Renters enjoy a particularly good deal at $1,000 monthly against the $72,342 median income, but owners pay a steeper $1,114 monthly cost. For renters specifically, Washington delivers exceptional value in the eastern Hudson Valley region.

Washington: Rural Comfort at Smart Prices

If you're relocating to upstate New York and prioritize affordability, Washington County's $1,000 rent and 16.6% ratio among the lowest in the state deserve serious consideration. With a median home value of $185,000 and strong regional character, Washington punches above its weight for value-conscious movers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington slightly trails national income

Washington County's median household income of $72,342 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by $2,413, placing it just below the national midpoint. The county ranks in the lower-middle nationally, though it remains economically resilient with diverse employment in agriculture, retail, and services.

Middle-of-the-pack in New York State

Washington County ranks 28th among New York's 62 counties with a median household income of $72,342, falling below the state average of $76,433 by $4,091. The county sits roughly at the state median, neither among the state's richest nor poorest regions.

Neighboring Warren and Wayne earn more

Washington's $72,342 income lags Warren County by $5,897 and Wayne County by $1,572. The county represents the lower-income anchor of the region, though its affordable housing market (median home value $185,000) partially offsets lower earnings.

Rent burden is light, housing affordable

Washington households allocate just 16.6% of income to rent, tracking below the 30% affordability ceiling and matching Warren County's favorable ratio. Median home values of $185,000 remain accessible for median-income families, making Washington an affordable option for first-time homebuyers.

Strategic saving bridges the income gap

Though Washington earns slightly below national averages, its low housing burden (16.6% rent-to-income ratio) creates space for disciplined saving and investment. Prioritize employer retirement plans, automatic savings accounts, and exploring tax-advantaged vehicles to build wealth despite more modest baseline earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Washington County life expectancy below national average

At 76.6 years, Washington County residents live nearly 1.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating room for health improvement. The county's 14.9% poor/fair health rate is slightly better than national trends, suggesting opportunity to extend lifespans through targeted interventions.

Washington lags New York State average

Washington County's 76.6-year life expectancy falls below New York State's 77.9-year average, positioning the county in the lower tier of state health outcomes. This 1.3-year gap signals the need for strengthened healthcare access and prevention efforts.

Among the shortest-lived in its region

Washington residents live shorter lives than Warren County (78.1 years) and Wyoming County (78.2 years), reflecting limited healthcare infrastructure. With just 36 primary care providers per 100,000 people—the lowest among neighbors—access challenges likely contribute to the gap.

Provider shortage strains healthcare access

Washington's 36 primary care providers per 100,000 fall far short of Warren's 111, making it harder for residents to access routine care. At 5.4% uninsured, the county's coverage rate matches state average, but sparse providers mean even insured residents struggle to secure appointments.

Washington residents: secure insurance today

With limited primary care availability, health insurance is critical for accessing the providers Washington does have. Head to healthcare.gov or NY's marketplace to enroll and ensure you're connected to available care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County well below national average

With a composite risk score of 56.62, Washington County ranks as relatively low risk—substantially safer than the national average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable position reflects a county where multiple hazards exist but none reach critical levels, making it one of New York's better-protected communities.

Among New York's safest counties

Washington County's 56.62 score falls significantly below New York's state average of 69.42, placing it well above the median in terms of safety. Within the state's 62 counties, Washington ranks firmly in the lower-risk tier, benefiting from geographic and demographic factors that reduce overall disaster exposure.

Comparable to Warren, far safer than Westchester

Washington County (56.62) is nearly identical in risk to nearby Wayne County (56.27) but far safer than Westchester County (96.18) to the south. This pattern shows how regional variation in hazards—particularly earthquake and flood exposure—creates distinct risk profiles across upstate New York.

Hurricanes and floods pose greatest threats

Hurricane risk (72.72) and flood risk (70.74) dominate Washington County's hazard profile, both well above the county's overall average score. Tornado risk (43.73) presents a secondary concern, while earthquake and wildfire threats remain relatively contained.

Flood and wind coverage essential

Washington County residents should prioritize flood insurance and ensure their homeowners policy includes robust wind and hurricane coverage. Given the county's water-related and storm-driven risks, these two protection layers address over 70% of your disaster vulnerability.

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.