CountyScore

Cottle County

Texas · TX

#12 in Texas
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cottle County, Texas

Exceptional Value, Nationally Ranked

Cottle County's composite score of 77.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. This exceptional rating reflects one of the most affordable housing markets in America.

Among Texas's Best Values

At 77.1, Cottle County ranks above Texas's state average of 66.8, earning it a position among the state's most livable counties. It stands out as a genuine bargain within its state.

Ultra-Affordable Housing Is the Star

Cottle County's cost score of 96.3 is remarkable—median gross rent is just $323/month and median home value is $54,100, among the lowest in the nation. Combined with a low tax rate of 1.152%, the county offers unbeatable affordability for those willing to embrace rural living.

Income Levels Are Quite Low

The income score of 21.8 reflects median household income of $58,819—well below state and national norms. As a rural county, it lacks data on safety, health, schools, and water quality, which are important factors for families evaluating relocation.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Cottle County is perfect for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers with income from elsewhere, or those seeking maximum housing affordability. It demands acceptance of rural isolation and limited local employment, but rewards that with extraordinary cost-of-living advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.9Cost96.3SafetyComing SoonHealth54.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk87.6WaterComing Soon
🏛69.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠96.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.6
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 Cottle County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Cottle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cottle County

via TaxByCounty

Cottle offers lowest tax burden nationally

Cottle County's effective rate of 1.152% sits well below the national median of 1.29%, making it among the nation's most tax-friendly counties. The median annual tax is just $623 on a median home value of $54,100—less than a quarter of the national median tax of $2,690.

Texas's most affordable county for taxes

Cottle County ranks among Texas's lowest-tax counties with a 1.152% effective rate below the state average of 1.276%. At just $623 in median annual taxes, it's dramatically lower than the state median of $2,193, offering exceptional savings for homeowners.

Cottle stands out as tax haven

Cottle County's 1.152% rate and $623 median tax are substantially lower than all regional neighbors like Crosby County (1.782%, $1,345 median tax). This dramatic difference reflects Cottle's lower property values and lighter tax burden across the board.

Cottle median tax just $623 yearly

The typical Cottle County home valued at $54,100 carries only $623 in annual property taxes, among the lowest in America. Even with mortgage escrow, taxes contribute minimally to the total housing cost, making Cottle highly affordable.

Low assessments mean few appeals needed

Cottle County's uniformly low property values mean most homeowners are fairly assessed relative to the market. Still, reviewing your assessment is wise—even modest overvaluations in a low-tax county can be corrected through a simple appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cottle County

via CostByCounty

Cottle stands out for extreme affordability

Cottle County's rent-to-income ratio of just 6.6% is dramatically lower than the U.S. standard, meaning renters here dedicate less than one-tenth the income share to housing compared to typical American households. This rural county offers some of Texas's most affordable rental housing in the nation.

Texas's most affordable county ranks

Cottle County's 6.6% rent-to-income ratio sits far below Texas's 18.1% state average, making it one of the most affordable counties in the entire state. The median rent of just $323 per month is 66.5% below the state median of $963.

Dramatically cheaper than surrounding areas

Cottle's median rent of $323 is less than one-third of nearby Cooke County ($1,088) and Coryell County ($1,120), and one-half of Crane County ($883). This extreme affordability gap reflects Cottle's remote rural character and limited housing demand.

Housing barely touches household budgets

With a median household income of $58,819 and median rent of just $323, Cottle County residents allocate only 6.6% of gross income to rent—the lowest burden in this comparison. Owner costs of $447 per month represent similarly modest housing expenses for homebuyers.

Cottle offers unbeatable housing deals

If affordability is your top priority and you can embrace rural isolation, Cottle County delivers median home values of $54,100 and rents under $350. However, verify employment and services availability before committing, as the tradeoff for cheap housing is limited job markets and amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cottle County

via IncomeByCounty

Cottle County faces income headwinds nationally

Cottle County's median household income of $58,819 runs 21% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges common to rural agricultural counties. This gap underscores the income divide between rural and urban America.

Below Texas state average income

At $58,819, Cottle County ranks below the Texas median of $64,737 by 9%, placing it among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $33,973 exceeds the state average of $33,197, suggesting a more equitable income distribution despite overall lower earnings.

Struggling amid rural Texas peers

Cottle County's $58,819 median income ranks among the lowest in its region, trailing nearby Cooke ($72,472), Coryell ($68,904), and Crane ($59,915). The county faces headwinds from population decline and limited employment diversity.

Exceptional housing affordability provides relief

At just 6.6% of income spent on rent, Cottle County offers extraordinary housing affordability—the lowest ratio in this group. With median home values only $54,100, housing scarcity isn't a financial burden, though income growth remains the primary challenge.

Maximize low housing costs for savings

Cottle County's remarkably low housing costs create an opportunity to redirect savings toward financial growth and resilience. Focus on building emergency funds, exploring supplemental income opportunities, and investing available capital to offset regional economic headwinds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cottle County

via HealthByCounty

Cottle County faces significant health challenges

Cottle County lacks recent life expectancy data, making direct national comparison difficult; however, 27.9% of residents report poor or fair health—nearly double the national average. This high rate signals serious underlying health conditions and limited access to preventive care in the county.

Health data gaps mask county struggles

Without current life expectancy figures, Cottle County's health ranking within Texas remains unclear, but the 27.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state. The county's uninsured rate of 16.7% sits below state average, yet residents still struggle with health outcomes.

Worst health outcomes in the region

Cottle County's 27.9% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds all neighboring counties tracked in this analysis. The lack of life expectancy and provider data underscores the county's limited healthcare infrastructure compared to surrounding areas.

Limited data, serious health reality

Cottle County reports 16.7% uninsured—below state average—yet lacks current data on primary care and mental health providers, suggesting possible healthcare access gaps. The 27.9% poor/fair health rate indicates residents face significant chronic disease and wellness challenges despite insurance availability.

Find coverage and seek care

One in six Cottle County residents lack health insurance, and the high rates of poor/fair health suggest many need regular preventive care. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your local health department for insurance options and to connect with available health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cottle County

via RiskByCounty

Cottle County remains well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 12.47, Cottle County ranks in the "Very Low" category and significantly below the national average. This low exposure provides residents with fewer natural disaster concerns than most U.S. counties.

Among Texas's safest counties overall

Cottle County's score of 12.47 is 75% lower than Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it among the state's least hazard-prone areas. This favorable standing reflects minimal exposure across most major disaster types.

Substantially safer than neighboring counties

Cottle County (12.47) significantly outperforms Cooke County (73.31) and Coryell County (63.42), making it one of the region's safest areas. Even compared to other low-risk counties like Crosby (23.73), Cottle maintains exceptional safety.

Wildfire is the only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 62.88 is Cottle County's only material hazard; all other risks—tornado (17.59), flood (1.53), earthquake (8.40), and hurricane (17.31)—remain minimal. This narrowly focused risk profile makes preparedness more straightforward.

Basic insurance and wildfire awareness suffice

Standard homeowners insurance covers most likely scenarios in Cottle County, though wildfire-specific coverage should be considered given the 62.88 risk score. Clearing vegetation and maintaining defensible space around structures offers cost-effective 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.