CountyScore

Bailey County

Texas · TX

#114 in Texas
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Bailey County, Texas

Bailey County punches above national average

With a composite score of 69.5, Bailey County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 39% advantage reflects the county's particular strength in affordability and manageable tax rates.

Above-average ranking within Texas

Bailey County scores 69.5, edging out the Texas state average of 66.8 and positioning it as a solid performer among the state's 254 counties. This modest but meaningful edge reflects strong fundamentals in housing costs and tax burden.

Affordability anchors Bailey's appeal

The county's cost score of 85.9 demonstrates exceptional housing affordability, with median home values of just $104,400 and monthly rent averaging $744. Bailey also maintains a reasonable tax burden with an effective rate of 1.468%, supporting middle-class households on incomes around $70,625.

Income growth potential remains limited

Bailey's income score of 29.5 signals that wage opportunities lag behind many Texas counties, with median household income of $70,625 below state norms. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available for this county.

Ideal for cost-conscious retirees

Bailey County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high earning potential. If you value small-town living with minimal housing costs and can work remotely or accept lower local wages, Bailey offers genuine livability at a fraction of typical U.S. costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth48.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk57.6WaterComing Soon
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤48.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57.6
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 Bailey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
63.3
Median income: $89,901
Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Sumner County
Kansas
63.3
Median income: $60,348
Otsego County
New York
63.3
Median income: $67,086

Deep Dives

Bailey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bailey County

via TaxByCounty

Bailey County taxes run high

Bailey County's effective tax rate of 1.468% exceeds the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,533 annually, well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to much lower home values averaging $104,400 versus $281,900 nationwide.

Above Texas average for rural county

At 1.468%, Bailey County's effective rate ranks higher than the state average of 1.276%, and its median tax of $1,533 is 30% below Texas's state median of $2,193. This rural West Texas county imposes steeper rates despite modest property values.

Steeper than Baylor, lighter than Bee

Bailey County's 1.468% rate falls between neighboring Baylor County (1.246%) and Bee County (1.421%). With the lowest median home value in this cluster at $104,400, Bailey homeowners face the middle-ground tax burden relative to surrounding rural counties.

Expect $1,533 on median home

A median home valued at $104,400 in Bailey County generates an estimated annual tax bill of $1,533. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,864; without one, it drops to $1,200.

Review your assessment today

Many property owners across Texas, including Bailey County, pay taxes on inflated assessments. If your tax bill seems steep relative to recent sales nearby, you have the right to appeal your appraisal with the county assessor at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bailey County

via CostByCounty

Bailey County beats national affordability

Renters in Bailey County spend just 12.6% of their income on housing, well below the national average of around 30% and Texas's state average of 18.1%. This county offers some of the most affordable housing in the state, making it accessible for working families.

Among Texas's most affordable counties

Bailey County ranks in the bottom tier for rent-to-income ratios across Texas, competing with only a handful of counties for best affordability. With a median rent of just $744 per month, it undercuts the state average of $963 by over 22%.

Cheaper than surrounding counties

Bailey County's median rent of $744 is significantly lower than neighboring Parmer County and other South Plains counties. Its affordability advantage extends to ownership costs, with a median home value of $104,400 versus higher-priced rural alternatives nearby.

Housing takes modest bite here

With a median household income of $70,625, residents allocate just $744 monthly for rent or $605 for ownership costs. That leaves substantial income for other necessities compared to state averages where housing consumes nearly a fifth of earnings.

Ready to relocate affordably?

Bailey County offers rural Texas living with genuine affordability—rare in today's market. If you're seeking a place where housing won't drain your paycheck, compare these numbers with your current county and consider the South Plains lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bailey County

via IncomeByCounty

Bailey County earns below national average

At $70,625, Bailey County's median household income falls short of the $74,755 national median by about $4,100. This places the county in the lower-middle range nationally, though it outperforms the Texas state average of $64,737 by nearly 9%.

Comfortably above Texas median

Bailey County ranks above the Texas state median household income, beating the state average by $5,888. This strong position reflects a county economy that performs better than most other Texas counties on income measures.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Bailey County's $70,625 median sits in the middle range of West Texas communities, performing better than Baylor County ($42,313) but below nearby Bastrop County ($82,730). The county's per capita income of $30,860 is slightly below the state average of $33,197, suggesting income is somewhat distributed across fewer earners.

Rent costs reasonable for local wages

At 12.6%, Bailey County's rent-to-income ratio is among the most affordable in Texas, well below the 21% threshold considered sustainable. A median household earning $70,625 annually pays roughly $740 monthly in rent, leaving ample room for other expenses.

Build financial security in Bailey County

With a median household income of $70,625 and one of the state's lowest housing cost burdens, Bailey County residents have genuine opportunity to save and invest. Consider working with a financial advisor to direct your rent savings—roughly $9,000+ annually—toward retirement accounts or property ownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bailey County

via HealthByCounty

Bailey County life expectancy slightly above U.S. average

At 74.5 years, Bailey County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 73.5 years, but the county's 22.7% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 19.2%. This suggests that while life span is respectable, daily health quality lags behind comparable communities.

Bailey ranks in middle tier for Texas health

Bailey County's 74.5-year life expectancy outpaces Texas's state average of 74.3 years by just 0.2 years. However, its 26.6% uninsured rate far exceeds the state average of 19.8%, pointing to a coverage gap that leaves one in four residents vulnerable.

Primary care access lags neighboring counties

Bailey County has 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, compared to 33 in nearby Bandera County and 42 in Blanco County. Mental health provider availability at 45 per 100,000 is stronger, though still below Bandera's 194 per 100,000.

Insurance gap creates daily healthcare barriers

With 26.6% of residents uninsured—significantly higher than the state average of 19.8%—many Bailey County families delay or skip medical care due to cost. Limited primary care capacity (29 per 100K) means longer waits and fewer preventive care options for insured residents.

Check coverage options today

If you're among Bailey County's uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local community health center to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage. Even basic coverage can prevent costly emergency visits and improve your family's long-term health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bailey County

via RiskByCounty

Bailey County's Risk: Well Below National Average

Bailey County scores 42.43 on the composite risk index, landing in the Very Low category and well beneath the national average. This West Texas county faces significantly less overall natural disaster risk than most American counties, reflecting its location on the relatively stable High Plains.

Among Texas's Safest Counties

Bailey County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Texas, with a composite score of 42.43 compared to the state average of 49.00. Its Very Low risk rating puts it in the upper tier of safety for the state.

Safer Than Regional Neighbors

Bailey County's score of 42.43 beats nearby Parmer and Cochran counties in overall resilience. Its isolation on the plains and distance from major weather systems keeps it more protected than counties further east.

Wildfire Is Your Primary Concern

Wildfire risk dominates Bailey County's profile at 88.90, driven by dry conditions and grassland terrain. Tornado risk (42.40) and hurricane risk (38.30) pose secondary threats, though they remain moderate compared to the wildfire hazard.

Prioritize Wildfire and Wind Coverage

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive coverage for wildfire damage and secure wind/hail protection, even though overall risk is low. A standard homeowners policy with adequate limits protects against the county's primary hazards.

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.