CountyScore

Worcester County

Maryland · MD

#5 in Maryland
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Worcester County, Maryland

Strong national livability position

Worcester County scores 67.1 out of 100, placing it 17 points above the national median of 50.0 and in the 74th percentile. This strong standing reflects competitive livability across multiple measured dimensions.

Maryland's upper performers

At 67.1, Worcester exceeds Maryland's state average of 63.9 by more than 3 points, ranking it among the state's most livable counties. It consistently delivers across multiple livability factors.

Excellent tax and health profile

Worcester boasts a tax score of 81.0 with an effective rate of 0.755%—the lowest among all eight counties—and strong health outcomes at 76.7. Affordable housing at median rents of $1,180 adds practical appeal.

Moderate income growth constraints

With an income score of 36.6 and median household income of $81,455, Worcester lags peer counties in earning potential. Economic diversification and wage growth remain areas needing investment.

For tax-conscious coastal seekers

Worcester appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families drawn to Ocean City and the Eastern Shore who want low taxes and decent healthcare. It works best for those who don't require high local employment or top-tier incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost65.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.6Risk31.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.8
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 Worcester County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elbert County
Georgia
67.1
Median income: $49,727
Wayne County
Illinois
67.1
Median income: $53,107
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Warren County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $92,990
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054

Deep Dives

Worcester County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Worcester County

via TaxByCounty

Worcester's rate sits below national median

Worcester County's 0.755% effective rate falls well below the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the 25th percentile nationally. With a median home value of $348,100—above the U.S. median of $281,900—this low rate yields attractive absolute tax bills.

Among Maryland's lowest-taxing counties

Worcester's 0.755% rate sits about 21% below Maryland's state average of 0.957%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The $2,629 median tax bill comes in well below the state average of $3,328, despite homes here commanding solid prices.

Second-lowest on the Eastern Shore

Worcester's 0.755% rate edges below Queen Anne's (0.793%) and beats Wicomico (0.887%), though only Talbot (0.658%) taxes lower on the Eastern Shore. At $2,629 median tax, Worcester offers strong value compared to comparable-priced homes elsewhere in Maryland.

Just $2,629 per year on average

A Worcester County homeowner with the median property value of $348,100 pays roughly $2,629 annually in property taxes. Over 30 years, that amounts to approximately $78,900 in cumulative property taxes.

Don't assume your assessment is fair

Even in tax-efficient counties, roughly 15–20% of assessments are inflated above true market value. Requesting a reassessment is free and could save you $300–$500 per year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Worcester County

via CostByCounty

Worcester achieves national affordability

Worcester County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% sits comfortably below the national average of 20.0%, with a median household income of $81,455 that exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 9%. This combination positions Worcester as one of the nation's more accessible mid-Atlantic destinations.

Below Maryland's affordability mark

Worcester's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks below Maryland's state average of 18.3%, placing the county among the state's more affordable options. The median income of $81,455 provides solid financial footing compared to statewide peers.

Eastern Shore value leader

Worcester's median rent of $1,180 competes favorably with nearby Talbot ($1,248) and Wicomico ($1,238), while supporting a higher median income than both counties. Home values at $348,100 reflect strong equity potential on Maryland's coastal peninsula.

Measured housing burdens

Worcester renters dedicate 17.4% of their $81,455 median income to $1,180 monthly rent, preserving substantial income for savings and living expenses. Homeowners allocating $1,378 to monthly mortgage payments commit 20.3% of income to ownership—a sustainable ratio for middle-income households.

Maryland's coastal value choice

Worcester County delivers competitive Eastern Shore housing costs, solid median income, and below-state-average affordability ratios—an appealing combination for families and remote workers. The county's ocean proximity and reasonable housing expenses make it an accessible alternative to pricier coastal counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Worcester County

via IncomeByCounty

Worcester exceeds U.S. income average

Worcester County's median household income of $81,455 is 9% above the U.S. median of $74,755, indicating a solidly prosperous Eastern Shore community. This places Worcester in the upper-middle tier of American counties.

Upper-middle tier among Maryland counties

Worcester ranks in Maryland's top tier with a median income 13% above the state average of $94,152. The county benefits from a diversified economy including tourism, healthcare, and education anchored by Salisbury University.

Leads most Eastern Shore peers

Worcester's $81,455 median income outpaces Somerset ($52,462), Wicomico ($72,861), and Talbot ($84,378), though it trails Queen Anne's ($113,347) significantly. The county's educational and healthcare sectors provide stable, higher-wage employment.

Housing costs remain favorable

Worcester's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is among Maryland's best, well below the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $348,100 is accessible for households at this income level, supporting both renting and homeownership.

Leverage education-sector stability

Worcester households benefit from large employers like Salisbury University and healthcare systems that offer retirement benefits and job security. Maximize these employer benefits, invest savings in diversified portfolios, and consider real estate or business ventures aligned with the county's growing tourism economy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Worcester County

via HealthByCounty

Worcester Outpaces U.S. Health Averages

Worcester's life expectancy of 78.5 years exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 2.1 years, and 15.2% report poor or fair health—below the national 17.3%. This performance reflects strong preventive care infrastructure and relatively healthy chronic disease management.

Top-Tier Health Performance for Maryland

Worcester's 78.5-year life expectancy tops Maryland's 77.0-year average by 1.5 years, placing it among the state's healthiest counties. The county's 15.2% poor/fair health rate reinforces this advantage, signaling effective disease prevention and management across the population.

Eastern Shore's Health Success Story

Worcester's 78.5-year life expectancy rivals Talbot (78.9 years) and Queen Anne's (79.6 years), and dramatically exceeds Somerset (74.0 years) and Washington counties (74.5 years). With 314 mental health providers per 100,000, Worcester balances physical and behavioral health resources effectively.

Good Coverage Supports Strong Health Outcomes

Worcester's 7.1% uninsured rate remains slightly above Maryland's 6.4% average, though lower than most neighboring Eastern Shore counties. At 85 primary care providers per 100,000, Worcester offers solid access to preventive care, supporting its strong life expectancy advantage.

Sustain Worcester's Health Momentum

Worcester's strong health profile depends on continuous coverage—the 7.1% uninsured should act during open enrollment at healthcare.gov. Maintaining insurance and regular preventive care visits is how Worcester residents sustain their 78.5-year life expectancy and keep the county among Maryland's healthiest.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Worcester County

via RiskByCounty

Worcester County faces above-average disaster risk

Worcester County's composite risk score of 68.19 exceeds both the national average and Maryland's state average of 60.22, placing it in the 'relatively low' risk category. The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane and flood exposure reflecting its Atlantic coastal location.

Above-average risk in Maryland's east

Worcester County ranks above the state average with a composite risk score of 68.19, making it one of Maryland's moderate-risk coastal counties. Its risk profile is shaped by extreme water hazards rather than seismic or significant wind events.

Riskier than Talbot and St. Mary's, matches Washington

Worcester County (68.19) faces greater overall risk than nearby Talbot (42.37) and St. Mary's (42.56), while closely matching Washington County (68.77) and Wicomico County (60.78). Its position on Maryland's Eastern Shore creates a distinct hazard profile emphasizing water-related threats.

Hurricanes and floods dominate your exposure

Worcester County faces extreme hurricane risk at 91.99 and severe flood risk at 88.00—both well above typical levels and accounting for nearly all of your above-average composite risk. These water-related hazards vastly outweigh tornado (16.09) or earthquake threats, reflecting your coastal geography.

Flood and hurricane insurance are non-negotiable

Worcester County's extreme hurricane (91.99) and flood (88.00) risks make separate flood insurance and comprehensive wind coverage absolutely essential protections. Evaluate your home's elevation and proximity to water bodies, and prioritize investments in storm shutters, reinforced roofing, and improved drainage to reduce vulnerability.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.