CountyScore

Winchester city

Virginia · VA

#102 in Virginia
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Winchester city, Virginia

Winchester exceeds national livability standard

Winchester's composite score of 65.4 positions it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 65th percentile nationally. The city demonstrates solid livability across measured tax and affordability dimensions compared to most U.S. counties.

Below Virginia's typical performance

With a score of 65.4 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, Winchester ranks in the lower third of Virginia's localities. The city lags behind several comparable Virginia communities on the composite livability index.

Favorable taxes and accessible housing

Winchester earns a strong tax score of 80.7 with an effective tax rate of 0.769%, offering residents meaningful tax advantages. The cost score of 63.8 reflects generally affordable housing, with median rent at $1,298/month and median home values around $325,900.

Income growth potential remains limited

An income score of just 25.6 reveals Winchester's primary weakness, with median household income at $64,648—below the state norm for growing households. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are not yet available, leaving important livability factors unmeasured.

Suited for cost-conscious professionals

Winchester works well for individuals and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. Those seeking comprehensive information on schools, safety, and healthcare should await additional data releases.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost63.8SafetyComing SoonHealth66.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk83.2WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡83.2
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 Winchester city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
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67.2
Median income: $74,223
Garland County
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67.2
Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
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67.2
Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Winchester city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Winchester city

via TaxByCounty

Winchester's taxes align with national norms

Winchester's effective tax rate of 0.769% sits near the national median of 0.84%, placing it squarely in the middle of the U.S. tax distribution. The city's median property tax of $2,505 is slightly below the national median of $2,690, reflecting home values moderately higher than the national average.

Above Virginia's state average rate

Winchester's 0.769% effective rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671% by 14.6%, making it one of the Commonwealth's higher-tax cities. The median tax bill of $2,505 significantly exceeds the state average of $1,960, resulting in a notably steeper burden for Winchester property owners.

Highest rate among peer cities

Winchester's 0.769% effective rate is 33.5% higher than Williamsburg's 0.576%, making it the most tax-heavy city jurisdiction in this comparison. This higher rate reflects Winchester's larger municipal budget demands and more expansive service delivery compared to other Virginia cities.

What Winchester homeowners pay annually

On a median home valued at $325,900, Winchester residents pay approximately $2,505 per year in property taxes, or about $209 monthly. This represents a noticeably higher burden than Williamsburg despite comparable home values, reflecting the city's elevated tax rate.

Appeal your assessment to cut costs

Many Winchester homeowners are overassessing their property's true market value, creating opportunities for tax savings through formal appeals. The process is straightforward and costs nothing—contact Winchester's assessor's office to challenge your assessment and potentially reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Winchester city

via CostByCounty

Winchester homebuyers face national headwinds

Winchester's 24.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's least affordable markets, forcing renters to allocate nearly a quarter of their $64,648 median income to housing. Homeowners fare slightly better with monthly costs of $1,367, but purchasing power here lags when compared to the national median household income of $74,755.

Winchester struggles hardest among Virginia cities

Winchester ranks as one of Virginia's least affordable markets with a 24.1% rent-to-income ratio—the highest among the five counties analyzed and 5.5 points above the state average of 18.6%. The city's median rent of $1,298 rivals larger metros, yet median household income of $64,648 ranks lowest among its peer group.

Winchester pricier than Williamsburg for buyers

Winchester and Williamsburg are locked in an affordability struggle, but their challenges differ: Winchester renters pay $63 less monthly ($1,298 vs. $1,361), yet Winchester homeowners pay $250 more ($1,367 vs. $1,117). Winchester's median home value of $325,900 undercuts Williamsburg's $393,200, offering better value for buyers despite steeper monthly costs.

Winchester incomes stretched by twin pressures

Renters allocate 24.1% of Winchester's $64,648 median income to monthly rent of $1,298, while homeowners commit 25.4% to owner costs of $1,367—both pushing affordability limits. This dual squeeze on both renter and owner households makes Winchester one of Virginia's most cost-burdened markets.

Winchester: vibrant but budget carefully

Winchester's downtown revitalization and location in the Shenandoah Valley attract young professionals, but housing affordability remains a real concern. If relocating here, prioritize maximizing household income—or explore more affordable southwestern Virginia markets like Wise County, where rent-to-income ratios drop below 18.2%.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Winchester city

via IncomeByCounty

Winchester lags the national income standard

Winchester's median household income of $64,648 falls about $10,100 short of the $74,755 national median. This 13.5% gap reflects the city's smaller regional economy compared to major metropolitan areas across the country.

Winchester ranks below state average

The city's $64,648 median household income sits roughly $10,300 below Virginia's state average of $74,957. Per capita income of $36,073 is also notably lower than the state's $39,155, indicating income disparity relative to Virginia's wealthier regions.

Mid-range earner in the Shenandoah region

Winchester at $64,648 exceeds Wise County ($50,740) and Wythe County ($55,359), but significantly trails York County's $108,326. As the Shenandoah Valley's commercial hub, Winchester's economy sits between rural southwestern Virginia and affluent Northern Virginia.

Rent takes a bigger bite here

At 24.1%, Winchester's rent-to-income ratio pushes closer to the 30% affordability ceiling, meaning housing costs absorb more of household budgets. The median home value of $325,900 remains accessible but requires substantial down payments relative to local earnings.

Strategic savings boost Winchester prosperity

With slightly tighter housing affordability, Winchester residents benefit from intentional budgeting and automated savings plans. Opening a high-yield savings account, exploring employer retirement matches, and reducing discretionary spending can accelerate wealth building despite modest median income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Winchester city

via HealthByCounty

Winchester's health lags national averages

Winchester residents live to 74.2 years on average—2.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 19% report poor or fair health, above the national benchmark of 21%, signaling elevated chronic disease burden.

Below-average health outcomes for Virginia

Winchester's 74.2-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of Virginia's 75.1-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing cities. The 18.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state norm, indicating concentrated health challenges.

Winchester struggles compared to regional peers

Winchester's 74.2-year life expectancy trails Williamsburg (78.7 years) by 4.5 years and Wythe County (72.6 years) by 1.6 years. However, Winchester boasts exceptional provider density: 256 primary care providers and 822 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding regional averages.

Higher uninsured rate despite provider abundance

Winchester's 10.6% uninsured rate exceeds Virginia's 7.9% average, meaning one in ten residents lacks health coverage. The city's exceptional provider network—256 primary care and 822 mental health providers per 100K—ensures access for the insured, but coverage remains a barrier for many.

Winchester residents: find affordable coverage

More than 1 in 10 Winchester residents are uninsured, the highest rate among these five counties. Visit healthcare.gov or call Virginia's insurance helpline at 1-844-VPI-HELP to explore plans and subsidies available now.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Winchester city

via RiskByCounty

Winchester sits well below average risk

Winchester's composite risk score of 16.86 puts it in the very low category and roughly half the national average. This Shenandoah Valley location benefits from distance to coastlines and limited exposure to major hurricane and flood corridors.

Mid-range safety among Virginia cities

At 16.86, Winchester scores below Virginia's average of 33.27, placing it among the state's safer jurisdictions. However, it ranks higher-risk than Williamsburg (2.42) and faces challenges that nearby Wise and Wythe counties contend with in the state's northwestern corner.

Safer than Appalachian mountain counties

Winchester's score of 16.86 is substantially lower than Wise (50.41) and Wythe (48.73) to the southwest, which face severe wildfire and flood threats. This advantage reflects Winchester's location in lower elevation, less forested terrain with better flood drainage.

Earthquakes and tornadoes deserve attention

Winchester's earthquake risk (62.98) and tornado risk (25.25) are its primary concerns, reflecting the region's position near the Appalachian seismic belt and spring storm corridors. Flood risk at 31.90 remains moderate but manageable with proper drainage and insurance.

Secure storm coverage and emergency plans

Ensure your homeowners policy covers tornado damage and wind—standard policies typically include this, but verify your specific deductible and limits. Develop a family earthquake plan with secure furniture placement and identify safe room locations, as seismic activity, though infrequent, can strike without warning.

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.