CountyScore

Westchester County

New York · NY

#58 in New York
50.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Westchester County, New York

Westchester: Below National Median Despite Wealth

Westchester County scores 44.4 on the CountyScore composite index, falling below the national median of 50.0. This surprising result reflects the extreme cost of living that offsets the county's significant income advantages.

Below New York's State Average

Westchester's 44.4 composite score trails New York's state average of 54.7 by more than 10 points, placing it in the lower tier of state counties. The disparity underscores how housing affordability challenges can dampen overall livability even in wealthy areas.

Highest Incomes and Competitive Tax Rates

Westchester dominates on Income Score (60.7) with a median household income of $118,411, the highest among these six counties. The Tax Score of 58.2 and effective rate of 1.567% offer additional financial appeal.

Housing Costs Are Prohibitively High

The county's Cost Score of just 29.9 reflects a median home value of $638,400 and median rent of $1,876/month—far exceeding all peers. These prices create a severe affordability crisis that dominates the livability calculus.

For High-Earning Professionals Only

Westchester suits affluent professionals and executives whose incomes comfortably absorb premium housing costs. It's ideal for those seeking proximity to New York City amenities and willing to prioritize location and income over overall financial relief.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.2Cost29.9SafetyComing SoonHealth83.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome60.7Risk3.8WaterComing Soon
🏛58.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠29.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼60.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.8
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 Westchester County with another county →

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Marin County
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Median income: $142,785

Deep Dives

Westchester County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Westchester County

via TaxByCounty

Westchester's tax rate beats nation

Westchester County's effective tax rate of 1.567% sits below the national median, giving high-value properties a tax-efficiency advantage. The median property tax of $10,001 reflects homes worth $638,400—far above both national and state averages—but the low rate keeps the tax burden manageable for affluent residents.

Lower rate than most New York counties

Westchester County ranks in the bottom tier for effective tax rates among New York's 62 counties, a significant advantage for a high-wealth area. Its 1.567% rate undercuts the state average of 2.046%, making Westchester a tax haven relative to upstate regions.

Favorable compared to upstate peers

Westchester's 1.567% rate essentially ties Warren County (1.530%) while significantly undercutting Washington County (2.082%), Wayne County (2.551%), and Wyoming County (2.299%). Though Westchester homes cost 3-4 times more, the lower rate provides substantial tax savings for luxury property owners.

Median home costs $10,001 yearly

On Westchester County's median home value of $638,400, you'll pay approximately $10,001 in annual property taxes—about $833 per month. While the absolute dollar amount is high, the effective rate of 1.567% offers relative efficiency compared to other New York counties.

High values make appeals worthwhile

Even small percentage reductions on Westchester properties yield significant savings; a 5% assessment overcharge costs $500+ annually on the median home. Filing a free assessment appeal is highly recommended for any Westchester homeowner, as overvaluation is common in fast-appreciating markets.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Westchester County

via CostByCounty

Westchester Rents Pinch Even High Earners

Westchester County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, meaning even residents here—with a median household income of $118,411, the highest among surveyed counties—spend more on rent than typical Americans. At $1,876 monthly, Westchester's median rent is more than double rural upstate counties, reflecting its position as a wealthy suburban appendage to New York City.

New York's Least Affordable County

Westchester ranks as New York's most expensive market with a 19.0% rent-to-income ratio above the state average of 17.6%. Median rent of $1,876 per month nearly doubles the state average of $1,133, making Westchester a clear exception in the affordability conversation.

Far Pricier Than Every Upstate County

Westchester's $1,876 rent dwarfs all surveyed upstate counties: Warren ($1,089), Washington ($1,000), Wayne ($929), Wyoming ($782), and Yates ($802) all fall well below half Westchester's cost. This dramatic gap reflects Westchester's status as an affluent metro-adjacent market rather than a rural region.

High Earners Still Strain for Housing

Despite the county's elevated median income of $118,411, renters commit 19.0% of earnings to rent, while owners face a steep $2,882 monthly payment for homes averaging $638,400. Westchester's expensive housing absorbs a larger income share than upstate alternatives, even for well-compensated residents.

Budget Carefully if Relocating to Westchester

Westchester offers proximity to New York City and affluent communities, but housing costs demand serious financial planning with $1,876 monthly rent and a 19.0% affordability ratio. If you're relocating from an upstate county, expect to nearly double your housing budget; if affordability drives your decision, the rural north offers far better value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Westchester County

via IncomeByCounty

Westchester ranks among America's wealthiest

Westchester County's median household income of $118,411 soars $43,656 above the national median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the top 5% of U.S. counties. This reflects a highly educated, economically dynamic region anchored in finance, healthcare, and corporate headquarters near New York City.

New York's wealthiest county by far

Westchester's median household income of $118,411 ranks it 1st among New York's 62 counties, towering $42,978 above the state average of $76,433. The county is the undisputed wealth leader in New York, more than $40,000 ahead of its closest peers.

Westchester dwarfs nearby upstate counties

Westchester's $118,411 income exceeds Warren County ($78,239) by $40,172, Washington County ($72,342) by $46,069, and Wayne County ($73,914) by $44,497. The vast income gap reflects fundamentally different regional economies: suburban NYC wealth versus rural Upstate resilience.

High income cushions steep housing costs

Westchester households spend 19.0% of income on rent—above the 30% affordability standard but manageable given exceptional earnings. However, median home values of $638,400 mean homeownership requires substantial wealth; many median-income families face barriers despite high absolute earnings.

Leverage premium incomes for wealth building

Westchester's $118,411 median income creates extraordinary capacity for investment, estate planning, and generational wealth creation. Maximize tax-advantaged retirement accounts, explore real estate investment beyond primary residence, and consider working with a financial advisor to optimize your wealth strategy in this high-income environment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Westchester County

via HealthByCounty

Westchester County leads national health outcomes

At 82.0 years, Westchester County residents live nearly 6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—among the longest lifespans in America. Just 12.8% report poor or fair health, reflecting exceptional population wellness and healthcare quality.

New York's healthiest county

Westchester's 82.0-year life expectancy significantly exceeds New York State's 77.9-year average, making it the state's health leader by a substantial margin. This 4.1-year advantage reflects top-tier healthcare access, wealth, and prevention infrastructure.

Vastly outpaces regional health metrics

Westchester residents live 5.4 years longer than Washington County residents and enjoy 490 mental health providers per 100,000—more than double most neighbors. This healthcare abundance directly translates to superior health outcomes across the region.

Exceptional access across all care types

Westchester boasts 132 primary care providers per 100,000 people and a 5.3% uninsured rate matching the state average, creating ideal conditions for preventive and continuous care. High provider density and universal coverage contribute directly to the county's remarkable 82-year life expectancy.

Maintain Westchester's health advantage

Even in Westchester's high-access environment, uninsured residents miss preventive opportunities that keep this county healthy. Visit healthcare.gov or NY's marketplace to confirm your coverage and stay on track with preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Westchester County

via RiskByCounty

Westchester faces significantly elevated risk

With a composite risk score of 96.18, Westchester County ranks as relatively high risk—well above the national average and among the most hazard-exposed counties in New York. This elevation reflects multiple concurrent threats including extreme flood vulnerability (97.96) and elevated earthquake and hurricane exposure.

Highest risk among six-county sample

Westchester County's 96.18 score towers above New York's state average of 69.42—a gap of nearly 27 points that positions it as one of the state's most at-risk counties. Within the comparison set, Westchester faces roughly 40% more hazard exposure than its safer neighbors.

Dramatically riskier than all regional peers

Westchester County's 96.18 score dwarfs neighboring Warren County (62.31), Washington County (56.62), and Wayne County (56.27), indicating unique geographic vulnerabilities. This dramatic disparity—nearly 40 points above regional neighbors—reflects Westchester's proximity to coastlines, its urban density, and seismic activity.

Flood, earthquake, and hurricane dangers critical

Flood risk (97.96) reaches near-maximum levels in Westchester County, making it the county's defining hazard; earthquake risk (94.78) and hurricane risk (93.62) compound these threats significantly. Tornado risk (72.71) also exceeds most regional peers, creating a multi-hazard exposure environment unlike surrounding counties.

Comprehensive insurance coverage is non-negotiable

Westchester County residents must obtain flood insurance immediately—this is not optional given your 97.96 flood risk score. Layer in earthquake insurance and ensure hurricane/wind coverage is maximized in your homeowners policy; these three protections address over 85% 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.