Top rates up to 10.9% on multimillion-dollar incomes
Effective property tax rate
1.95%
#185 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,967
#176 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
#182 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$17,000
#170 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
US rank
Annual registration
$70
#38 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
#75 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
#166 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
#166 of 200
Gasoline
$3.45/gal
#142 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
#80 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
37
#16 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
#25 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,000
#168 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
#168 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k)
350
#51 of 200
Property crime (per 100k)
1,450
#24 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
US rank
Grocery stores
120
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; NYC DOB long timelines
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.