CountyScore

Cochran County

Texas · TX

#98 in Texas
64.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Cochran County, Texas

Cochran ranks among nation's most livable

Cochran County's composite score of 71.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 21.2 points, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This exceptional ranking reflects outstanding housing affordability and modest tax burdens that maximize resident financial resources.

Top performer within Texas counties

Cochran's 71.2 score surpasses Texas's statewide average of 66.8, ranking it among the state's strongest performers on composite livability. The county delivers better-than-typical living conditions across major measured dimensions.

Exceptional affordability and tax efficiency

Cochran County's cost score of 87.9—the highest among these eight counties—reflects the lowest median home values at just $57,700 and the lowest rents at $738 monthly. A tax score of 68.9 with a 1.185% effective rate ensures residents keep maximum income while enjoying minimal housing burdens.

Income opportunities significantly limited

Cochran's income score of 10.9 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at just $42,137, indicating very few high-wage employment opportunities. Critical data on schools, health outcomes, public safety, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Perfect for remote workers and retirees

Cochran County is ideal for remote professionals, retirees, and those with independent income seeking the absolute lowest cost of living. Its extraordinary affordability makes it exceptional for those whose earnings come from sources unrelated to local job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.9Cost87.9SafetyComing SoonHealth38.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.9Risk87.2WaterComing Soon
🏛68.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤38.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.2
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 Cochran County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Highlands County
Florida
64.3
Median income: $55,581
Spalding County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $60,217
Whitfield County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $64,262
Comanche County
Kansas
64.3
Median income: $49,417
Harford County
Maryland
64.3
Median income: $111,317

Deep Dives

Cochran County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cochran County

via TaxByCounty

Cochran ranks among lowest nationwide

Cochran County's 1.185% effective rate and median tax of just $684 on a $57,700 home place it in the bottom 2% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. This is one of America's most affordable property tax environments.

Texas's lowest absolute taxes

With a median annual tax of only $684, Cochran has the lowest tax bill among the eight surveyed counties and ranks near the bottom statewide. Its 1.185% rate sits slightly below Texas's 1.276% average, though home values are extraordinarily low at $57,700 median.

Sparsest, most affordable market

Cochran's median home value of $57,700 is less than two-thirds of any neighboring panhandle county, explaining its rock-bottom tax bill despite a moderate rate. The county represents the region's most rural, least developed market.

Cochran's minimal tax burden

At Cochran County's median home value of just $57,700, annual property taxes amount to merely $684 at the 1.185% rate—the lowest in this analysis. Even with mortgage fees, annual obligations stay under $1,518.

Verify valuations in sparse markets

Even in Cochran's low-value market, homeowners should confirm assessments reflect actual sales of comparable properties. Rural appraisals can lag behind market reality; an appeal ensures you're not overpaying.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cochran County

via CostByCounty

Cochran County faces housing affordability crisis

Cochran County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.0% represents the highest burden in our analysis—6 percentage points above the national average and 2.9 points above Texas's state benchmark. With a median household income of just $42,137, residents here allocate a troubling share of earnings to housing despite modest rents of $738 monthly.

Among Texas's least affordable counties

Cochran County's 21.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the poorest affordability metrics in Texas, reflecting the collision of very low local incomes with even modest housing costs. This county faces genuine affordability strain compared to nearly all peers across the state.

Comparison: Cochran's economic challenge

Though Cochran County's $738 median rent runs lowest among our counties, the median household income of $42,137 is also the lowest by far—$42,196 below Carson County and $17,696 below Childress County. This income deficit creates affordability pressure despite the lowest absolute housing costs.

Stretched thin in Cochran County

The $42,137 median household income means renters paying $738 monthly dedicate 21.0% of earnings to rent alone, while homeowners pay $484 toward a median home value of $57,700. The county offers the lowest absolute housing costs but highest relative burden, reflecting a fundamental income shortage.

Cochran requires careful wage planning

If considering relocation to Cochran County, ensure your job opportunity significantly exceeds the $42,137 county median—even low housing costs become unaffordable on below-median wages. The county's ultra-low home values appeal to buyers with external income sources, but local wages present real challenges.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cochran County

via IncomeByCounty

Cochran County faces significant income challenges

Cochran County's median household income of $42,137 lags the national median of $74,755 by $32,618, ranking it among the lowest 10% of U.S. counties. The substantial income gap reflects severe economic headwinds.

Texas's lowest income among sampled counties

At $42,137, Cochran County's median household income falls $22,600 below the Texas state average of $64,737, trailing by 34.9%. The county faces the steepest income challenges in this analysis, requiring targeted economic development efforts.

Significantly underperforms all regional peers

Cochran County's $42,137 income is less than half that of Carson County ($84,583) and substantially below even the lowest other county, Cass ($54,328). The gap signals unique economic vulnerabilities in the county.

Housing costs consume outsized share of income

At 21.0%, Cochran County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the region, signaling severe housing affordability stress. With the lowest median income and lowest median home value ($57,700), households still struggle with housing costs relative to earnings.

Focus on income growth and protection

In Cochran County, the primary wealth-building strategy is increasing household income through education, training, or career transition. Simultaneously, protect existing resources with low-cost insurance and build even small emergency reserves to avoid debt cycles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cochran County

via HealthByCounty

Cochran faces severe health crisis

At 71.4 years, Cochran County residents live 5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4, and a staggering 34.2% report poor or fair health—nearly double the national average of 18%. These metrics represent the worst health profile in this eight-county region.

Lowest life expectancy in Texas comparison

Cochran County's 71.4-year life expectancy is among the lowest in Texas, trailing the state average of 74.3 by 2.9 years, and its 23.5% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 19.8%. The county faces compounded health and coverage crises.

Most troubled county in the region

Cochran County's 71.4-year life expectancy and 34.2% poor or fair health rate represent the worst outcomes across all eight counties, surpassing even Cass County's challenges. With 40 primary care providers per 100K but mental health provider data unavailable, behavioral health access is unclear.

Critical health and coverage emergency

Over 1 in 3 Cochran County residents report poor or fair health, and nearly 1 in 4 lack insurance entirely—a dual crisis that has devastated population health. Primary care access at 40 per 100K is moderate, but the absence of mental health provider data suggests additional care gaps.

Urgent: Enroll in coverage today

Cochran County residents must act immediately to secure health insurance through Healthcare.gov or local Medicaid programs. With nearly 1 in 4 uninsured and severe health challenges mounting, coverage is a life-or-death priority.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cochran County

via RiskByCounty

Cochran among nation's safest counties

Cochran County's composite risk score of 12.79 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county's isolated southwest Texas location provides exceptional protection from all major natural disasters.

Lowest-risk county in Texas

At 12.79, Cochran County's composite risk score runs 74% below Texas's average of 49.00, making it the safest county in this dataset. The county benefits from protected High Plains geography with minimal exposure to hurricanes, earthquakes, and major flooding.

Safest in southwest Texas comparison

Cochran County significantly outperforms all neighboring counties, scoring lower than Clay County (14.28) and well below Childress County (19.56). Its isolated position offers superior protection compared to all peer regions in the analysis.

Wildfire presents minimal challenge

Wildfire risk (68.32) represents Cochran's highest exposure, though it remains moderate on the state scale, with tornado risk (21.69) and all other hazards minimal. Flood risk is near zero (1.78), and hurricane exposure is nonexistent.

Basic insurance meets most needs

Cochran County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for comprehensive protection, with optional wildfire riders available for enhanced coverage. The county's exceptional safety profile means property owners face minimal disaster-related insurance burden.

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.