CountyScore

Fort Bend County

Texas · TX

#250 in Texas
50.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Fort Bend County, Texas

Fort Bend Tracks Near National Average

Fort Bend County's composite score of 47.5 sits just slightly below the national median of 50.0. While not low, it ranks lower than the other seven counties profiled, reflecting a trade-off between higher incomes and elevated living costs.

Below Texas Average, But Growing Metro

Fort Bend County scores 47.5 versus the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it below most measured peers. However, as Houston's fastest-growing suburban county, it attracts families prioritizing access to urban employment over financial metrics.

Significantly Higher Incomes Drive Appeal

Fort Bend County's income score of 57.4 reflects a median household income of $113,409, far exceeding the other seven counties profiled. This higher earning power attracts professionals and families seeking career advancement and urban amenities.

Housing and Taxes Demand Premium Prices

Fort Bend's cost score of 46.0 and tax score of 46.3 reveal higher expenses: median home values of $350,300, rent at $1,770/month, and a 1.988% effective tax rate. Data on schools, health, and safety remains unavailable, leaving quality-of-life assessment incomplete.

Best for Affluent Families Seeking Opportunity

Fort Bend County suits higher-income professionals, growing families, and those prioritizing urban job markets and suburban amenities over affordability. It appeals to households willing to pay premium prices for Houston-area access and economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax46.3Cost46SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome57.4Risk2.5WaterComing Soon
🏛46.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼57.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.5
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 Fort Bend County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hidalgo County
Texas
50.3
Median income: $52,281
Nassau County
New York
50.1
Median income: $143,408
Burlington County
New Jersey
49.9
Median income: $105,271
El Paso County
Texas
49.9
Median income: $58,859
Kane County
Illinois
50.6
Median income: $100,678

Deep Dives

Fort Bend County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fort Bend County

via TaxByCounty

Fort Bend County: Highest-tax county nationally

Fort Bend County's effective tax rate of 1.988% is nearly double the national median of 1.026%, making it one of the most expensive counties for property taxes in America. The median property tax of $6,965 is more than 2.5 times the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's high median home value of $350,300.

Texas's highest-taxed county in analysis

Fort Bend County's 1.988% effective rate far exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%, making it by far the most heavily taxed county among those examined. The median property tax of $6,965 is more than three times the state average of $2,193, reflecting rapid growth and premium home values near Houston.

Fort Bend stands alone in tax burden

Fort Bend County's 1.988% rate dramatically exceeds every peer in this analysis, including Fisher County (1.705%) and Falls County (1.469%). The disparity reflects Fort Bend's status as a fast-growing suburban Houston county with substantially higher home values.

Annual tax on typical home: $6,965

A homeowner with the median home value of $350,300 in Fort Bend County pays approximately $6,965 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to around $7,553; without one, they drop to about $5,934.

High taxes make appeals critical

Fort Bend County homeowners face among America's highest property tax bills, making appraisal challenges particularly valuable. A successful appeal reducing your assessed value could save thousands annually, making the effort to document comparable sales and file a challenge highly worthwhile.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fort Bend County

via CostByCounty

Fort Bend County exceeds national affordability limits

Fort Bend County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% sits above the national average, indicating substantial housing pressure on renters despite the county's exceptional median household income of $113,409. Higher incomes don't fully offset rents averaging $1,770 monthly, among the state's priciest.

Affluent but pricey suburban market

Fort Bend County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Texas's state average of 18.1%, unusual given that the county's median household income ($113,409) far surpasses the state's. This reflects rapid suburbanization and rising housing costs in this Houston-adjacent county.

Premium pricing for affluent suburb

Fort Bend County's $1,770 median rent dwarfs all peers—83% higher than Fannin County ($994) and 95% higher than Floyd County ($587). Median home values of $350,300 are the highest in the comparison set, nearly triple Fisher County's $77,600, reflecting Houston metropolitan demand.

High incomes absorbed by premium housing

Fort Bend County renters allocate $1,770 monthly from a median household income of $113,409, while homeowners pay $1,953 on properties valued at $350,300. Even with six-figure incomes, housing still consumes 18.7% of earnings—the highest burden despite the county's affluence.

Fort Bend requires substantial six-figure income

Fort Bend County suits high-earning households seeking Houston-area proximity and excellent schools, but at a premium price: expect $1,770+ rents or $350,000+ home purchases. If your income approaches $113,000, Fort Bend's robust housing market may justify the cost; otherwise, consider more affordable Texas alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fort Bend County

via IncomeByCounty

Fort Bend County earns well above U.S. average

Fort Bend County's median household income of $113,409 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $38,654—a 52% premium that places the county in the top tier nationally. Fort Bend residents earn substantially more than roughly 85% of American households.

Texas's wealthiest county in this group

At $113,409, Fort Bend County's median household income towers over the Texas state average of $64,737 by $48,672, nearly doubling the statewide median. The per capita income of $46,693 is 41% above the state average of $33,197, reflecting a highly prosperous county.

Dramatically outpaces all F-county peers

Fort Bend County's $113,409 income more than doubles that of Fayette ($76,541), nearly doubles Fannin ($68,377) and Franklin ($66,800), and dwarfs all other counties in the cluster. Fort Bend stands as an economic powerhouse by regional and state comparison.

High incomes support premium housing

Fort Bend County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% is the highest in the F-county group, reflecting the median home value of $350,300—a premium market. However, this $3.1-year income-to-home multiple remains well within sustainable range for wealthy households.

Build sophisticated multi-asset strategy

With household incomes exceeding $113,000, Fort Bend County residents should maximize retirement contributions (401k, backdoor Roth), invest in diverse assets (equities, bonds, REITs), and consider wealth-planning strategies like estate planning and tax optimization. Higher incomes create capacity for substantial compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fort Bend County

via HealthByCounty

Fort Bend County's health shines

At 81.0 years, Fort Bend County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 79 years by 2 years—among the best in the nation. Its 15.9% poor or fair health rate also beats the national average of 19%.

Fort Bend County leads Texas

Fort Bend County's 81.0-year life expectancy is 6.7 years above the Texas average, making it the top-performing county in this survey. This exceptional longevity reflects strong health systems and healthy population characteristics.

Unmatched healthcare infrastructure

Fort Bend County boasts 85 primary care providers and 119 mental health providers per 100K residents—the highest in the region. This robust provider network enables comprehensive, accessible care.

Well-insured, well-served population

At 12.4%, Fort Bend County's uninsured rate is significantly below the state average of 19.8%, and abundant providers ensure rapid access to care. The combination of high insurance and high provider density creates an ideal healthcare environment.

Sustain Fort Bend's health success

Fort Bend's exceptional health outcomes depend on maintaining universal or near-universal coverage; if uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov immediately. Your county's strong provider network and health-conscious population are assets worth protecting.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fort Bend County

via RiskByCounty

Fort Bend County faces relatively high risk

Fort Bend County's composite risk score of 97.46 places it well above the national average in the relatively high risk category. Residents face substantially more natural disaster threats than most Americans, demanding comprehensive preparedness and insurance strategies.

Among Texas's highest-risk counties

At 97.46, Fort Bend County's composite score nearly doubles Texas's state average of 49.00, marking it as one of the state's most disaster-prone areas. The county ranks among Texas's riskiest jurisdictions across multiple hazard categories simultaneously.

Far more threatened than surrounding areas

Fort Bend County's risk score of 97.46 dramatically exceeds all nearby counties, including Fayette County (57.98). The county faces exceptionally elevated tornado (99.20), flood (97.61), and hurricane (97.58) risks compared to regional peers.

Triple threat: tornadoes, floods, hurricanes

Fort Bend County residents face extraordinary exposure to tornadoes (99.20), floods (97.61), and hurricanes (97.58)—among the highest scores for any Texas county. Wildfire risk (80.06) and earthquake risk (61.77) also substantially exceed state averages.

Comprehensive protection is essential

Fort Bend County residents should prioritize flood insurance immediately—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, yet the county's 97.61 flood score indicates extreme vulnerability. Additionally, verify robust wind/hail coverage for tornadoes and hurricanes, and consider a safe room investment given the 99.20 tornado risk.

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.