CountyScore

York County

Pennsylvania · PA

#58 in Pennsylvania
59
County Score

County Report Card

About York County, Pennsylvania

York outpaces national average

York County's composite score of 58.8 beats the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties despite Pennsylvania's competitive landscape. This 18% advantage shows solid fundamentals across multiple livability dimensions.

Below average for Pennsylvania

With a score of 58.8 versus Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, York County lags most of its peers across the commonwealth. Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, it ranks in the lower half on the overall livability index.

Higher incomes drive opportunity

York County's income score of 37.1 is the highest among these three counties, with a median household income of $82,238 reflecting stronger earning potential and career opportunities. This wage premium makes York attractive for professionals and growing families seeking economic advancement.

Higher costs and taxes bite

A median home value of $235,000 and monthly rent of $1,150 make housing notably more expensive than neighboring counties, while an effective tax rate of 1.680% is the highest of the three. Health, safety, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving other quality-of-life factors unclear.

Right for earners with ambition

York County suits higher-income professionals and growing families willing to accept greater housing costs for better job markets and economic mobility. It's the choice for people building careers and prioritizing earning potential over bargain-hunting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55Cost67.1SafetyComing SoonHealth76.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.1Risk9.6WaterComing Soon
🏛55
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.6
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 York County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Collier County
Florida
59
Median income: $86,173
St. Lucie County
Florida
59
Median income: $69,027
Worcester County
Massachusetts
59
Median income: $93,561
Cayuga County
New York
59
Median income: $66,583
St. Lawrence County
New York
59
Median income: $61,900

Deep Dives

York County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in York County

via TaxByCounty

York County taxes among nation's highest

York County's effective tax rate of 1.680% places it well above the national median, making it one of the more expensive counties for property taxes across the United States. The median property tax of $3,947 towers $1,257 above the national median of $2,690.

Highest taxes in Pennsylvania

York County has the highest effective tax rate among all three counties analyzed at 1.680%—significantly above Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%. Residents pay a median of $3,947 annually, nearly $1,300 more than the state median of $2,657.

Substantially higher than Westmoreland and Wyoming

York County's 1.680% effective rate dwarfs both Westmoreland County (1.281%) and Wyoming County (1.344%), making it substantially more expensive for property owners. A median home in York pays roughly $1,474 more annually in property taxes than the same home would in Westmoreland County.

What you pay on a typical home

The median home in York County is valued at $235,000, translating to an estimated annual property tax of $3,947. For homeowners with a mortgage, the total can reach $4,102 annually when additional fees are factored in.

You may be paying too much

Given York County's high effective tax rate, many homeowners should seriously consider whether their assessments are accurate. A professional assessment appeal could save you hundreds annually—worthwhile given that York residents already pay some of the nation's steepest property taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in York County

via CostByCounty

York rents exceed national affordability thresholds

York County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% surpasses the national comfort zone, meaning renters here dedicate a larger share of income to housing than typical Americans. With a median rent of $1,150 monthly against a $82,238 median household income, York represents a higher-cost county both regionally and nationally.

York slightly outpaces state average housing costs

At 16.8%, York's rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Pennsylvania's 16.5% state average, placing it among the state's pricier counties. The median rent of $1,150 significantly surpasses the state average of $960, reflecting York's stronger economy and desirability.

York commands the region's highest rents

York's median rent of $1,150 far exceeds Westmoreland ($843) and Wyoming ($897), with median home values of $235,000 also topping both neighbors. This premium reflects York's economic strength and proximity to Baltimore-Washington markets, making it the priciest option among the three counties.

York housing takes nearly 17% of income

Renters commit approximately $1,150 monthly against an $82,238 median household income, consuming 16.8% of earnings, while homeowners allocate $1,337 to mortgage costs. Despite York's higher incomes than neighboring counties, housing remains the largest household expense, leaving families with less discretionary spending than lower-cost alternatives.

York suits those prioritizing economic opportunity

Choose York County if higher incomes and urban-adjacent amenities outweigh premium housing costs—median incomes here exceed Westmoreland by nearly $10,000. With strong job markets and proximity to major metros, York justifies its price premium for career-focused households willing to allocate more income toward housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in York County

via IncomeByCounty

York County significantly outearns the nation

York County's median household income of $82,238 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $7,500, or 10%. The county ranks among higher-income regions nationally, demonstrating strong regional economic vitality.

Top earner among Pennsylvania counties

At $82,238, York County households earn 18% more than Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614—the largest advantage among our three featured counties. York consistently ranks among the top-earning counties statewide.

Clear income leader in the region

York County's $82,238 median income outpaces Westmoreland by $9,770 and Wyoming by $11,970. The county's economic strength reflects its diverse job market and proximity to major metro areas.

Higher incomes, higher housing demand

York County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the highest among the three counties, reflecting strong housing demand and rising home values averaging $235,000. Despite higher costs, housing remains affordable by national standards.

Leverage higher earnings for wealth building

York County's $82,238 median income creates substantial opportunity for investment, homeownership, and long-term wealth accumulation. Residents should maximize retirement contributions, diversify investments, and capitalize on the county's economic momentum.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in York County

via HealthByCounty

York leads in Pennsylvania life expectancy

At 77.5 years, York County residents live significantly longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 16.4% reporting poor or fair health—just above the national average of 16%—York demonstrates strong population health outcomes.

The state's healthiest county

York's 77.5-year life expectancy is the highest among Pennsylvania counties, surpassing the state average of 76.4 years by more than a year. This leading position reflects sustained health investments and favorable health behaviors across the county.

Setting the regional health standard

York's 77.5-year life expectancy exceeds Westmoreland (76.6 years) by nearly a year and Wyoming (75.4 years) by over two years. The county's 16.4% poor/fair health rate also positions it better than both neighbors, establishing York as the region's health leader.

Good access, but coverage gaps remain

York supports 67 primary care providers and 150 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid infrastructure, though slightly below Westmoreland levels. The county's 5.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, meaning roughly 1 in 17 residents still lacks insurance coverage.

Close the remaining coverage gap

York's health leadership can extend further: those 5.7% uninsured deserve access to affordable plans. Visit healthcare.gov or the Pennsylvania Health Connector to find subsidized options and ensure universal coverage in this thriving county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in York County

via RiskByCounty

York County faces substantial disaster risk

York County's composite risk score of 90.43 ranks it as relatively moderate but places it well above the national average of approximately 50. This elevated score reflects notable exposure across multiple hazard categories, making comprehensive preparedness essential.

Among the highest-risk counties in Pennsylvania

With a score of 90.43, York County exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45 by 22.98 points, positioning it near the top of the state's at-risk county list. Only a handful of Pennsylvania counties face comparable overall disaster threat levels.

York outpaced by Westmoreland in risk profile

York County's 90.43 score closely mirrors Westmoreland County's 87.85, making both Southeast and Southwest Pennsylvania regional disaster hotspots. Both substantially exceed nearby Wyoming County's score of 44.78, reflecting geographic variation in natural hazard exposure.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding converge

York County faces an unusual triple threat: hurricane risk of 92.37, earthquake risk of 87.98, and flood risk of 93.32—all near-critical levels. This convergence of hazards reflects the county's susceptibility to Atlantic coastal storms, seismic activity along regional fault lines, and vulnerable water infrastructure.

Comprehensive insurance essential for York residents

Standard homeowners policies exclude both flood and earthquake damage, yet both pose substantial threats with scores above 87. Immediately secure separate flood insurance and explore earthquake coverage options—together, these endorsements address York County's most pressing vulnerabilities and protect against catastrophic financial loss.

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.