Yakima County's composite score of 69.3 substantially surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the nation's upper quartile. This 39% advantage reflects consistent strength across tax efficiency and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Slightly above state average
Yakima's score of 69.3 exceeds Washington's state average of 68.1 by 1.2 points, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's counties. This edge, though modest, confirms Yakima's solid livability standing.
3 / 5
Exceptional affordability and taxes
Yakima shines with a cost score of 72.2 and tax score of 79.3, offering median home values at $281,100 and an effective tax rate of 0.818%. Monthly rent averaging $1,068 and moderate household income of $68,015 create broad accessibility.
4 / 5
Income levels remain modest
The income score of 27.8 reflects median household income of $68,015, trailing many peer counties regionally. Health, safety, school quality, and environmental data are currently unavailable, limiting our full understanding of quality-of-life factors.
5 / 5
Best for value-conscious families
Yakima County appeals to working families and retirees seeking exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes without premium incomes. Its balanced profile of low housing costs, moderate taxes, and accessible wages makes it ideal for those building financial stability.
Yakima County's composite score of 69.3 substantially surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the nation's upper quartile. This 39% advantage reflects consistent strength across tax efficiency and housing affordability.
Slightly above state average
Yakima's score of 69.3 exceeds Washington's state average of 68.1 by 1.2 points, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's counties. This edge, though modest, confirms Yakima's solid livability standing.
Exceptional affordability and taxes
Yakima shines with a cost score of 72.2 and tax score of 79.3, offering median home values at $281,100 and an effective tax rate of 0.818%. Monthly rent averaging $1,068 and moderate household income of $68,015 create broad accessibility.
Income levels remain modest
The income score of 27.8 reflects median household income of $68,015, trailing many peer counties regionally. Health, safety, school quality, and environmental data are currently unavailable, limiting our full understanding of quality-of-life factors.
Best for value-conscious families
Yakima County appeals to working families and retirees seeking exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes without premium incomes. Its balanced profile of low housing costs, moderate taxes, and accessible wages makes it ideal for those building financial stability.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Yakima County taxes slightly below national median
Yakima County's effective tax rate of 0.818% sits just below the national median of 0.85%, placing it near the national midpoint. At $2,299 annually, median property taxes fall below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.
Slightly above average in Washington
Yakima County's 0.818% effective rate exceeds Washington's state average of 0.761%, ranking it among higher-taxed counties statewide. However, at $2,299 in median property taxes, residents pay below the state median of $3,028.
Middle ground for central Washington taxes
Yakima County's 0.818% rate falls between Walla Walla (0.901%) to the southeast and Whitman (0.794%) to the northeast. This positions Yakima as a moderate-tax option in central Washington.
What you'll pay on a Yakima County home
On a median home valued at $281,100, Yakima County residents pay approximately $2,299 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest included, annual obligations rise to $2,483.
Appeal if your home is overassessed
Yakima County homeowners should verify their assessments align with current market values, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid changes. Filing an appeal with the assessor's office is straightforward and could uncover significant overvaluations.
Yakima County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% exactly matches the national average, with median household income of $68,015 supporting median rent of $1,068/month. The county delivers textbook national affordability benchmarks.
Yakima Matches Washington Average
Yakima County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% perfectly aligns with Washington's state average, positioning it as a representative statewide market. Median rent of $1,068/month runs $134 below state median, offering modest savings.
Affordable Regional Hub
Yakima County rents ($1,068/month) undercut western Washington pressure points like Thurston ($1,634/month) and Whatcom ($1,465/month) while remaining higher than remote rural counties like Stevens ($864/month). The county anchors central Washington affordability.
Balanced Housing Allocation
Renters allocate 18.8% of income to housing while homeowners invest 19.4% ($1,101/month), the most balanced split among these counties. The median home value of $281,100 ranks among the lowest, offering strong equity-building potential.
Yakima for Practical Relocators
Yakima County delivers reliable affordability with legitimate economic diversification—compare these numbers against your current housing burden to see how far your dollar stretches in Washington's heartland.
Median household income in Yakima County is $68,015, running about 9% below the national median of $74,755. This positions Yakima in the lower-middle income band compared to counties nationwide.
Yakima trails Washington's state earnings average
Yakima County's median household income of $68,015 falls short of Washington's state average of $76,363 by over $8,300. Per capita income of $29,309 ranks lowest among all seven counties examined here.
Yakima ranks sixth in this seven-county group
Yakima County's $68,015 median income exceeds only Whitman ($52,893) and Wahkiakum ($57,091) but trails Stevens County ($67,405) narrowly. Yakima earns substantially less than higher-income neighbors Whatcom and Thurston Counties.
Modest housing costs help manage tight budgets
Yakima County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% falls in the moderate range, and the median home value of $281,100 is the lowest in this group. Lower housing costs provide a buffer for residents managing below-average incomes.
Leverage affordability to build asset wealth
Yakima County's low housing costs are a wealth-building advantage despite modest incomes—every dollar saved on rent can flow toward savings. Explore employer retirement benefits and low-cost index funds to grow assets systematically over time.
At 75.0 years, Yakima County residents live 4.3 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years—a substantial health gap. The county's 25.8% poor or fair health rate nearly doubles the national average, indicating widespread chronic disease and major health challenges.
Lowest life expectancy in Washington
Yakima County's 75.0-year life expectancy ranks at the bottom of Washington's counties, trailing the state average of 78.1 years by more than 3 years. Its 13.9% uninsured rate—the highest statewide—far exceeds Washington's 9.0% average, indicating significant coverage gaps.
Poorest health outcomes in the region
Yakima County's 75.0-year life expectancy is 4.7 years below its nearest peer, Walla Walla (77.7 years), and its 25.8% poor or fair health rate nearly doubles Walla Walla's 18.1%. With 62 primary care providers per 100,000 and just 408 mental health providers per 100,000, Yakima also faces provider shortages.
Significant coverage and access gaps
Yakima County faces the state's worst health metrics alongside real access barriers: 13.9% of residents are uninsured, and the county offers only 62 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest in its region. For those without coverage or with transportation challenges, accessing care for chronic disease management becomes difficult.
Yakima County, get covered now
One in seven Yakima County residents lack health insurance, facing serious barriers to care, medication, and preventive services. Visit Healthcare.gov or Washington's health insurance marketplace immediately—special enrollment periods may be available if you've experienced life changes, and coverage can start this month.
Yakima County scores 94.02 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and significantly exceeding Washington's state average of 70.01. This agricultural powerhouse ranks among the nation's more hazard-exposed counties due to a potent combination of wildfire, flood, and earthquake threats.
Among Washington's highest-risk counties
Yakima County ranks in the top tier of Washington's disaster risk hierarchy, with a composite score of 94.02 that trails only Thurston County. Its elevation places it alongside the state's most comprehensively hazard-exposed regions.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Yakima County's risk score of 94.02 significantly exceeds Walla Walla County (60.37) and other interior neighbors, marking it as the region's most hazard-exposed area. Only Thurston County (94.50) and Whatcom County (90.97) approach its comprehensive risk level.
Wildfire and flood dominate hazards
Wildfire risk peaks at 98.92 in Yakima County—the state's highest—driven by extensive grasslands, orchards, and summer drought across the basin. Flood risk of 92.88 ranks among Washington's highest, reflecting the Yakima River system and spring snowmelt patterns, while earthquake risk of 97.39 compounds seismic vulnerability.
Comprehensive coverage is essential
Yakima County residents must prioritize wildfire insurance and maintain aggressive defensible space clearance, especially in rural and agricultural areas where fuel loads remain high. Flood insurance is critical for all properties, and earthquake coverage should be secured immediately given the 97.39 risk score.