CountyScore

Austin County

Texas · TX

#149 in Texas
61.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Austin County, Texas

Austin County Leads Nationally

Austin County's score of 64.5 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 29%, ranking it well above the typical U.S. county. This above-median position reflects solid livability across measured dimensions.

Slightly Below State Benchmark

At 64.5, Austin scores just under the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it near but not above the state median. Despite this slightly below-average state standing, Austin still delivers better-than-national-typical livability.

Highest Incomes in the Group

Austin leads with a median household income of $75,994 and an income score of 33.0, the highest earning potential among these eight counties. This strong income foundation supports wealth-building and provides economic resilience for residents.

Higher Housing Costs Offset Income Gains

Austin carries the highest median home value at $270,900 and elevated rent at $1,111/month, with a cost score of 71.1 that trails more affordable peers. Tax rate of 1.279% is moderate; however, safety, health, education, and environmental data remain unavailable.

For Higher-Earning Professionals

Austin County best suits professionals and established households with above-average incomes who can manage higher home prices. The strong wage levels support comfortable living despite elevated housing costs, making it ideal for those prioritizing earning potential over lowest-cost living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.3Cost71.1SafetyComing SoonHealth58.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome33Risk46.9WaterComing Soon
🏛66.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.9
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 Austin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calaveras County
California
61.6
Median income: $79,877
Volusia County
Florida
61.6
Median income: $66,581
Washoe County
Nevada
61.6
Median income: $85,600
Butler County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $81,194
Greene County
Ohio
61.6
Median income: $85,218

Deep Dives

Austin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Austin County

via TaxByCounty

Austin County taxes: Competitive with national median

Austin County's effective tax rate of 1.279% sits just slightly above the national median of 1.03%, placing it in roughly the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,464 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by about $775, reflecting Austin County's higher median home values.

Rank among Texas counties: Right at state average

Austin County's 1.279% effective rate barely exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%, making it representative of typical Texas counties. Median taxes of $3,464 significantly exceed the state median of $2,193 due to Austin County's higher home values.

Austin County's taxes reflect higher property values

Austin County's 1.279% rate is only slightly above Anderson County (0.974%) and Aransas County (1.014%), but the median home value of $270,900 exceeds all others in this sample. This combination yields the highest median tax bill among the eight counties.

What Austin County homeowners pay annually

On the median home value of $270,900, Austin County property owners pay approximately $3,464 in annual property taxes at the 1.279% effective rate. With mortgage-related taxes included, homeowners should budget about $3,895 annually.

Higher values make assessment challenges worthwhile

With median taxes exceeding $3,400, Austin County homeowners benefit especially from thorough assessment reviews. Request an informal appraisal review or file a formal appeal if you believe your property is assessed above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Austin County

via CostByCounty

Austin County attracts higher earners

Austin County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average despite higher housing costs, supported by median income of $75,994 (nearly matching the national $74,755). Renters spending $1,111 monthly on this income achieve better affordability than national norms, though homeowners face elevated mortgage payments.

Slightly below Texas average affordability

Austin County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio sits marginally below Texas's 18.1% state average, offering renters competitive affordability within the state. At $1,111 monthly, Austin's median rent is $148 above the state average of $963, but stronger income levels offset the cost difference.

Higher values, higher income market

Austin County's median home value of $270,900 far exceeds peer counties like Atascosa ($157,400) and Angelina ($149,800), reflecting growth pressure from proximity to Houston. Its $75,994 median income matches this premium market, attracting professionals willing to pay for proximity to urban employment.

Homeownership slightly outpaces renting

Austin renters spend $1,111 monthly (17.5% of income), while homeowners with mortgages spend $1,123 (17.6% of income)—nearly identical percentages despite the $12 monthly difference. The $270,900 median home value reflects Austin's position as a growth county attracting investment and higher-income households.

Austin County for Houston-area proximity

Austin County suits professionals relocating to Houston's orbit: $75,994 median income and 17.5% rent-to-income ratio offer solid affordability for the region's higher-cost market. Though median home values reach $270,900, both renting and buying consume comparable shares of income, giving relocators flexibility in choosing their path.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Austin County

via IncomeByCounty

Austin County slightly exceeds national income

Austin County's median household income of $75,994 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $1,239. The county ranks slightly above the American average, indicating solid earning power relative to the nation.

Strong earnings in Texas context

At $75,994, Austin County exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by $11,257, ranking in the upper tier of Texas counties. The county demonstrates above-average economic strength statewide.

Second-highest income in regional group

Austin County ($75,994) ranks just behind Andrews County ($76,902) and ahead of Archer County ($71,958) among the eight examined counties. The county leads all other East Texas peers by substantial margins, reflecting stronger economic diversification.

Strong affordability despite high home values

Austin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% is among the region's best, with households spending less than one-fifth of earnings on rent. The median home value of $270,900 is the cohort's highest but remains accessible relative to median household income of $75,994.

Maximize wealth in favorable position

With median household income of $75,994 and strong affordability, Austin County residents are ideally positioned to build substantial wealth. Aggressively fund retirement accounts, consider real estate investment beyond primary residence, and develop a comprehensive financial plan to leverage current advantages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Austin County

via HealthByCounty

Austin exceeds national life expectancy

At 76.5 years, Austin County residents live 2.0 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Just 20.8% report poor or fair health, below the national average, indicating a healthier overall population.

Above Texas average on longevity

Austin County's 76.5-year life expectancy exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average by 2.2 years, ranking among the state's healthier counties. Its 19.1% uninsured rate is below the state average of 19.8%, indicating stronger health security.

Second-best longevity in the region

Austin's 76.5-year life expectancy trails only Archer County (77.7 years) among this region's counties. Its 19.1% uninsured rate is better than most peers, approaching Archer's exceptional 16.7%.

Limited primary care, adequate mental health access

Austin offers only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below adequacy benchmarks—alongside 44 mental health providers per 100,000. The 19.1% uninsured rate remains a barrier for the one in five residents seeking care.

Austin's strong life expectancy hides care gaps

Despite excellent longevity, Austin County's 19.1% uninsured rate and sparse primary care access (20 per 100,000) reveal hidden vulnerabilities. Check Healthcare.gov for marketplace and Medicaid options to strengthen your coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Austin County

via RiskByCounty

Austin County sits near average

Austin County scores 53.15 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category and slightly above the national average. This South-Central Texas location faces moderate natural disaster exposure across several hazard types.

Slightly above Texas average

Austin County's 53.15 composite score marginally exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the middle range of Texas counties for natural disaster risk. The county's exposure is close to the state baseline.

Mid-range regional profile

Austin County's 53.15 score reflects typical exposure for South-Central Texas, placing it near other regional communities in the state's moderate-risk band. Neighboring areas share comparable hazard patterns.

Tornadoes and hurricanes threaten

Tornado risk reaches 77.32 in Austin County and hurricane risk scores 75.93, making severe weather events your greatest concerns. Flood (57.73) and wildfire (54.77) risks also remain above state averages, creating multi-hazard exposure.

Cover tornado and hurricane damage

Austin County's elevated tornado risk (77.32) and hurricane exposure (75.93) require verified wind damage coverage in your homeowners policy or a separate windstorm rider. Flood risk at 57.73 makes flood insurance advisable; contact the National Flood Insurance Program to determine your flood zone and coverage needs.

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.