The coupling relationship between ecological conservation and economic development greatly impact the sustainability of local society. This paper conducted an empirical research in the Lashihai Basin, simulating the supply of ecosystem services using the InVEST model and gathering socioeconomic data through field surveys. The coupling coordination degree was introduced to quantify the coupling relationship between ecosystem services and residents' income. The results showed that:(1) a spatial difference in the supply of ecosystem services existed in the basin. Water conservation, soil retention, and carbon sequestration services were concentrated in the upper reaches of the basin; (2) the types of coupling relationships were different among natural villages, and those on the east side of the lake, which could benefit from ecological conservation via certain livelihoods, showed a better coupling relationship than others; (3) the correlation between ecotourism and coupling coordination was significantly positive, whereas that between outside employment and coupling coordination was negative. Migrant workers, who might have a relatively small direct income contribution, could increase the ability of local residents to develop new livelihoods, such as ecotourism through "return of intelligence". In natural capital, the per capita arable land area had a significant positive correlation with the coupling relationship. The sign of coefficient of financial, human, and social capital was positive, although not significant. Road density had a negative correlation with the coupling coordination degree, implying that the impact of constructing highways in ecologically fragile and important regions should be carefully assessed.