CountyScore

Washington County

Utah · UT

#26 in Utah
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, Utah

Washington beats national norm

Washington County scores 65.2, 30% above the national median of 50.0, positioning it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strength is driven largely by tax efficiency and cost of living advantages.

Below average for Utah

Washington County's score of 65.2 sits below the Utah state average of 72.1, indicating it's among the lower-performing counties within the state. However, it still competes well nationally.

Affordability and low taxes

Washington County offers the best cost score (62.2) among these five counties, with median home values of $465,600 and rent at $1,464/month. An exceptional tax score of 89.7 and effective rate of 0.446% provide additional financial relief.

Income growth lags region

Washington County's income score of 33.3 and median household income of $76,411 are the lowest among these five counties, indicating limited earning potential. This income-cost mismatch may require careful household budgeting despite favorable tax treatment.

Great for budget-conscious retirees

Washington County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes. It offers the best value proposition for those seeking a lower cost of living without the hefty price tags of wealthier Utah counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.7Cost62.2SafetyComing SoonHealth74.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk7.2WaterComing Soon
🏛89.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.2
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

Garfield County
Colorado
65.2
Median income: $86,172
Effingham County
Georgia
65.2
Median income: $85,465
Kauai County
Hawaii
65.2
Median income: $93,612
Alexander County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $43,523
Christian County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $59,253

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 County taxes significantly below U.S. average

Washington County's effective rate of 0.446% ranks among the nation's lowest-taxed counties, far below the 0.92% national median. At $2,076 annually, the median property tax is 23% cheaper than the national median of $2,690.

Third-lowest rate in Utah

Washington County ties with Wasatch at 0.446%, ranking third-lowest among Utah's 29 counties. This rate trails the state average of 0.498% by 0.052 percentage points, saving homeowners hundreds annually.

Equal to Wasatch, beats Weber decisively

Washington and Wasatch counties both charge 0.446%, making them the region's tax leaders. Weber County's 0.621% rate would cost Washington homeowners an extra $339 per year on a typical property.

Median home brings modest tax bill

A typical Washington County home valued at $465,600 carries an annual property tax of $2,076. At $173 per month, this is one of the state's most affordable property tax burdens.

Appeal may reveal hidden savings

Many Washington County homeowners sit on assessments that don't reflect current market conditions. Request a free reassessment from your assessor—overages are common and entirely recoverable.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County housing strains budgets

Washington County's 23.0% rent-to-income ratio represents a significant affordability challenge, meaning renters spend nearly a quarter of income on housing alone. With a median income of $76,411—just above the national median of $74,755—residents here lack the earning cushion to absorb housing costs that surpass most peers.

Utah's most strained rental market

Washington County ranks as Utah's least affordable county for renters, with a 23.0% rent-to-income ratio running 6.4 percentage points above the state average of 16.6%. At $1,464 monthly, rents are 33% above the state median, creating one of the sharpest affordability crunches in the state.

Rents bite harder here than surroundings

Washington County's $1,464 monthly rent undercuts Wasatch County's $1,905 but surpasses Utah County ($1,441) and Wayne County ($1,018), yet its lower income makes housing less affordable proportionally. At 23.0%, Washington's rent-to-income ratio is the worst among the five counties analyzed here.

Income stretched thin by housing costs

A median Washington County household earning $76,411 annually allocates roughly $1,464 to rent, consuming nearly a quarter of gross income before taxes and other expenses. Homeowners fare somewhat better at 19.9% for owner costs, but renters here shoulder the state's heaviest housing burden relative to income.

Washington County demands careful budgeting

If you're relocating to Washington County on an average income, plan for housing to consume a larger slice of your budget than elsewhere in Utah—23% versus the state average of 16.6%. Consider whether nearby counties like Utah County (17.9%) or Wayne County (17.4%) might offer comparable lifestyles with lower housing strain.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County slightly above national average

Washington County's median household income of $76,411 modestly exceeds the national median of $74,755 by just 2%, placing it near the middle of the national earnings distribution. Growth in St. George and retirement migration contribute to steady, if unspectacular, income levels.

Sitting slightly below state average

At $76,411, Washington County's median household income falls about $3,765 short of Utah's state average of $80,176, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Utah counties. The county's growing retirement population and service industry employment create a more modest income profile than northern counties.

Middle ground among Utah counties

Washington County earns $20,466 less than Utah County ($96,877) but $6,337 more than Wayne County ($70,074). Compared to Weber County ($87,083), Washington households earn $10,672 less, reflecting the county's transition economy between growth corridors and rural areas.

Housing affordability strained for many

With a rent-to-income ratio of 23.0%, Washington County exceeds the recommended 20% affordability threshold, signaling housing cost stress for median-income households. The median home value of $465,600 requires careful budgeting, especially for single-income families or those near the median.

Build wealth by reducing housing burden

Washington County residents should prioritize controlling housing costs to free up income for savings and investment. Even modest monthly contributions to retirement accounts or modest real estate investments can compound significantly over time, building long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Washington County meets U.S. life expectancy

Washington County residents live an average of 80.2 years, slightly above the U.S. average of 77.8 years. However, 14.1% of the population experiences poor or fair health—notably higher than national norms, suggesting significant underlying health challenges.

Mixed outcomes within Utah

Washington County's 80.2-year life expectancy tops Utah's state average of 77.9 years, but its 14.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's highest. This gap suggests the county has pockets of serious health struggles despite longer average lifespans.

Longer life, higher health struggles

Washington County's life expectancy (80.2 years) exceeds Utah County (79.4) and Weber County (77.0), but its 14.1% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest in the region after Wayne County (17.0%). This combination suggests health inequality within the county.

Good providers, high uninsured rates

Washington County has strong provider access with 54 primary care and 345 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. However, its 11.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 10.2%, meaning more residents lack coverage and may skip care.

Insurance matters for health outcomes

With above-average uninsured rates, Washington County residents risk worse health outcomes when they lack coverage. Visit healthcare.gov to explore affordable options, and ask local providers about sliding-scale fees or community health programs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County faces elevated risk

With a composite score of 92.81, Washington County ranks as relatively moderate—significantly higher than the national average. This score reflects concentrated exposure to multiple hazard types that affect the region.

Utah's third-riskiest county

Washington County's score of 92.81 substantially exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the third-most hazard-prone county in the state. Only Utah County and Weber County face comparable risk levels.

Riskier than most Utah neighbors

Washington County's 92.81 score is much higher than Wasatch County (33.52) and Wayne County (1.88), though similar to Utah County (95.32). Your region faces significantly more natural disaster exposure than most neighboring areas.

Wildfire and flooding dominate

Wildfire risk is extreme at 99.84—the highest in the state—while flood risk follows at 93.35. Earthquake risk at 81.08 rounds out a formidable triple threat to property and safety.

Multiple insurance policies essential

Washington County residents must secure separate wildfire and earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude these hazards. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is equally critical given your county's 93.35 flood risk.

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.