CountyScore

Callahan County

Texas · TX

#30 in Texas
69
County Score

County Report Card

About Callahan County, Texas

Callahan outperforms national baseline

Callahan County's composite score of 70.5 tops the national median of 50.0 by 41%, securing it in the upper quarter of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects particularly impressive housing affordability and tax efficiency.

Above-average within Texas

Callahan County's 70.5 score exceeds the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it among the better-performing counties statewide. The county ranks in the upper tier of Texas counties for overall livability.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Callahan County shines with a cost score of 80.4, offering median home values of $144,800 and remarkably low rents of $881/month. The tax score of 71.4 reflects a competitive 1.096% effective tax rate, making it one of the most fiscally efficient counties in the group.

Income growth potential moderate

The income score of 28.1 and median household income of $68,455 indicate moderate earning levels that may limit wealth building for ambitious professionals. Safety, health, school quality, water, and risk data remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for retirees and budget households

Callahan County suits retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers who prioritize ultra-low housing and tax costs above higher earning opportunities. The exceptional affordability makes it a compelling choice for those seeking rural tranquility without financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.4Cost80.4SafetyComing SoonHealth59.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk85.3WaterComing Soon
🏛71.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡85.3
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 Callahan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Murray County
Georgia
69
Median income: $67,880
Treutlen County
Georgia
69
Median income: $43,750
Johnson County
Illinois
69
Median income: $65,203
Boone County
Indiana
69
Median income: $104,865
Grant County
Kansas
69
Median income: $72,484

Deep Dives

Callahan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Callahan County

via TaxByCounty

Callahan County ranks among nation's cheapest

Callahan County's effective rate of 1.096% places it in America's bottom 15% for tax burden, far below the national median of 1.8%. With annual property taxes of just $1,587 on a median $144,800 home, residents enjoy taxes less than 60% of the U.S. median property tax bill.

Texas's lowest-tax county option

At 1.096%, Callahan County ranks as one of Texas's most tax-friendly counties, beating the state average of 1.276% by a substantial margin. Homeowners pay $1,587 annually—$606 below the state median—making it one of the state's best values for property ownership.

Only Burleson matches this bargain

Among nearby counties, only Burleson County (1.044%) undercuts Callahan's 1.096% rate; Callahan ties or beats every other neighbor on effective rate. This makes Callahan an attractive alternative to higher-taxed Caldwell (1.332%) and Calhoun (1.397%) just a few hours away.

Sub-$150 monthly property tax bill

On Callahan County's $144,800 median home, annual property taxes total approximately $1,587—just $132 per month. With mortgage escrow, annual costs reach $2,047, among the lowest in the region for rural Texas homeowners.

Still review your assessment annually

Even in low-tax Callahan County, appraisal errors happen; properties sometimes get reassessed above comparable market values. Pull recent county sales data for your neighborhood and compare—if your assessed value seems high, filing a protest takes minutes and could save you money for years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Callahan County

via CostByCounty

Callahan County excels in affordability

Callahan County renters spend just 15.4% of income on rent, well below the national average of 18.1% and the Texas state average of 18.1%. With a median household income of $68,455 and median rent of just $881, residents enjoy genuine affordability without sacrificing earnings.

Among Texas's best housing deals

Callahan County ranks in the top tier of Texas counties for housing affordability with a 15.4% rent-to-income ratio and $881 rent both below state averages. This West Texas location delivers renter-friendly costs without the premium pricing found in Hill Country or Austin-area counties.

Cheapest rents in the eight-county sample

Callahan's $881 monthly rent ties with Brown County ($887) as the cheapest in this comparison, beating Hill Country rivals by 30–50%. With $144,800 median homes, Callahan offers budget-friendly buying alongside affordable renting in West Texas.

West Texas affordability at its best

Renters pay $881 monthly while homeowners carry $797, with median home values at $144,800 competing with the lowest-cost counties. On a $68,455 income, housing consumes just 15.4% for renters and 14% for owners—among the most spacious affordability ratios in Texas.

Callahan for true affordability seekers

If you're relocating to West Texas and prioritizing maximum affordability, Callahan County delivers one of the state's best rent-to-income ratios at 15.4% and cheap entry prices. Measure your budget against $881 rents and $144,800 homes to see how much financial breathing room you'll gain.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Callahan County

via IncomeByCounty

Callahan County trails national median

Callahan County's median household income of $68,455 falls 8.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755, indicating modestly lower earning power. The county remains solidly middle-class, though residents earn less than the typical American household.

Above Texas state average

At $68,455, Callahan County exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by roughly $3,700, ranking in the middle-upper portion of Texas counties. The modest advantage reflects a reasonably stable local economy.

Mid-range regional performance

Callahan County's $68,455 income lags Burnet ($77,158) and Burleson ($72,888) but surpasses Brown ($55,305), Camp ($55,061), and Caldwell ($68,503). The county maintains solid middle standing in the regional income hierarchy.

Housing costs well-controlled

At 15.4%, Callahan County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below affordability thresholds, indicating housing expenses are comfortably manageable. Median home values of $144,800 are among the most affordable in the region, supporting widespread homeownership.

Build on housing foundation

Callahan County's affordable housing and controlled rent ratios provide a strong foundation for wealth accumulation through property ownership and long-term investing. Residents should leverage low housing costs to maximize retirement savings and investment contributions, compounding wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Callahan County

via HealthByCounty

Callahan life expectancy lags nationally

At 73.5 years, Callahan County residents live 3.7 years below the U.S. average of 77.2 years. The 18.7% poor or fair health rate sits above the national 17%, though the gap is narrower than some regional peers.

Well below Texas state life expectancy

Callahan County's 73.5-year life expectancy trails the Texas average of 74.3 years by 0.8 years. The 17.8% uninsured rate matches Brown County and sits 2 percentage points below the state average of 19.8%.

Callahan faces severe provider shortages

With only 14 primary care providers and 7 mental health providers per 100K, Callahan County has the lowest provider density among all regional peers. Brown County (52/204) and Burnet County (41/89) both offer substantially more access to care.

Critical shortage of mental health resources

Callahan County's 7 mental health providers per 100K is the lowest in its region—roughly one-seventh the density of Burnet County (89 per 100K). The shortage of just 14 primary care providers per 100K compounds barriers to both routine and specialized care.

Coverage plus telehealth bridge care gaps

Callahan County's provider shortage makes insurance coverage and telehealth options essential. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 211 to secure a plan, then ask about virtual mental health and primary care services to supplement limited local options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Callahan County

via RiskByCounty

Callahan County faces minimal U.S. risk

Callahan County's composite risk score of 14.69 ranks among the lowest in the nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county benefits from inland positioning away from hurricane and major flood exposure.

Texas's safest county by most measures

At 14.69, Callahan County scores 70 percent below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's safest counties for natural disasters. Only a handful of Texas counties score lower.

Substantially safer than surrounding areas

Callahan County's 14.69 score sits far below neighboring Brown County's 64.89 and regional peers, reflecting its isolated position on the High Plains. This isolation from major water systems and coastlines defines its exceptional safety profile.

Wildfire is primary concern here

Wildfire risk reaches 82.00 in Callahan County, the only significant hazard threat despite very low overall risk. All other perils—flood (13.87), tornado (52.70), and hurricane (28.95)—remain minimal.

Basic coverage protects adequately

Callahan County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most perils, though wildfire riders or separate coverage should be considered given the 82.00 wildfire risk. Creating defensible space around structures provides cost-effective additional protection.

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.