Frio County's composite score of 64.1 stands 14 points above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability across key economic dimensions. The county ranks better than most U.S. communities on affordability and fiscal efficiency.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Texas Average Overall
At 64.1, Frio trails the Texas state average of 66.8 by a modest margin, placing it in the middle tier of state rankings. The gap is narrow enough that other local factors could tip the scales for specific household types.
3 / 5
Housing Affordability Drives Livability Score
Frio's cost score of 79.5 reflects genuinely affordable housing, with median home values at $110,100 and rents averaging $1,006/month. This strong affordability makes the county competitive for working families and first-time homebuyers.
4 / 5
Income and Tax Rates Warrant Attention
The income score of 22.6 combined with an effective tax rate of 1.590%—above state peers—signals limited wage growth potential. Safety, health, school, and environmental data gaps prevent a complete livability assessment.
5 / 5
Best for Cost-Conscious Families Seeking Space
Frio County appeals to buyers hunting for rock-bottom housing costs and those willing to trade some income potential for affordability. The county works best for self-reliant families or retirees with income sources independent of local wages.
Frio County's composite score of 64.1 stands 14 points above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability across key economic dimensions. The county ranks better than most U.S. communities on affordability and fiscal efficiency.
Slightly Below Texas Average Overall
At 64.1, Frio trails the Texas state average of 66.8 by a modest margin, placing it in the middle tier of state rankings. The gap is narrow enough that other local factors could tip the scales for specific household types.
Housing Affordability Drives Livability Score
Frio's cost score of 79.5 reflects genuinely affordable housing, with median home values at $110,100 and rents averaging $1,006/month. This strong affordability makes the county competitive for working families and first-time homebuyers.
Income and Tax Rates Warrant Attention
The income score of 22.6 combined with an effective tax rate of 1.590%—above state peers—signals limited wage growth potential. Safety, health, school, and environmental data gaps prevent a complete livability assessment.
Best for Cost-Conscious Families Seeking Space
Frio County appeals to buyers hunting for rock-bottom housing costs and those willing to trade some income potential for affordability. The county works best for self-reliant families or retirees with income sources independent of local wages.
Score breakdown
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🏛57.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Frio County's effective tax rate of 1.590% exceeds the national median, though the median tax bill of $1,751 remains below the national median of $2,690. This reflects Frio's relatively modest home values of $110,100.
Above average for Texas
Frio's effective rate of 1.590% ranks above Texas's state average of 1.276%, placing it among higher-taxing counties statewide. The median tax of $1,751 is still lower than the state median of $2,193 due to lower home values.
Higher than nearby Freestone and Goliad
Frio County's 1.590% rate exceeds both Freestone County (1.037%) and Goliad County (1.035%), making it the higher-tax option in the immediate region. Despite this, the actual tax bills remain affordable due to modest property values.
What homeowners pay annually
On Frio's median home value of $110,100, homeowners pay approximately $1,751 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,399; without one, around $1,452.
Review your assessment for savings
Frio County homeowners should verify that their properties are assessed fairly relative to current market values. Filing an appeal during assessment review periods could unlock significant tax savings.
Frio County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.1% exceeds Texas's state average of 18.1% and the national benchmark, meaning renters here dedicate a larger paycheck share to housing. Median rent of $1,006 per month sits above the state median of $963, pressing household budgets harder than peers statewide.
Less affordable than most Texas counties
Frio ranks below the state average in housing affordability, with renters bearing a notably heavier cost burden than typical Texans. The county's affordability challenge stems from rent levels that outpace both state averages and the modest $60,098 median household income.
Costlier rent than surrounding counties
Frio's $1,006 monthly rent significantly exceeds nearby Goliad County's $724 and Garza County's $797, making it one of the pricier options in its rural region. Homebuying here offers relief: median owner costs of just $699 per month are competitive with neighbors, though the $110,100 median home value suggests limited inventory diversity.
Renters squeezed; owners find value
Renters in Frio spend 20.1% of their $60,098 income on housing—well above the comfort zone—while homeowners spend a lean 13.9% of income. This split suggests Frio works better for buyers willing to purchase than for those seeking to rent affordably.
Consider if you're buying, not renting
Relocating to Frio makes financial sense if homeownership is in your plans, with owner costs and home values among Texas's most reasonable. But prospective renters should compare Frio's $1,006 rent to more affordable neighbors like Goliad before committing.
Frio County's median household income of $60,098 sits 20% below the nation's $74,755 median. This income gap is typical of rural South Texas counties with limited economic diversification.
Lower income among Texas counties
Frio ranks in the lower half of Texas counties with a median income 7% below the state average of $64,737. At just $22,170, per capita income trails the state average of $33,197 by 33%—one of the steeper gaps in the dataset.
Part of rural South Texas cluster
Frio's $60,098 sits near Freestone ($58,460) and Goliad ($59,556), forming a corridor of economically similar rural counties. The region shares agricultural heritage and limited urban employment centers.
Rent burden is rising here
At 20.1%, Frio's rent-to-income ratio edges above the comfort zone, signaling that renters allocate a significant portion of earnings to housing. The median home value of $110,100 is relatively affordable, but limited income makes even modest mortgages challenging.
Maximize what you earn in Frio
With per capita income among the state's lowest, every dollar counts toward financial security. Explore community credit unions, microfinance programs, and local workforce development resources to boost skills and earning potential.
At 72.4 years, Frio County's life expectancy trails the national average by roughly 2–3 years, signaling serious underlying health challenges. With 32.3% of adults reporting poor or fair health, Frio faces one of the higher rates of self-reported poor health in Texas.
Among Texas's lowest life expectancy counties
Frio's 72.4-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years below the Texas average of 74.3 years, placing it in the bottom quartile statewide. Its 21.9% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 19.8%, compounding healthcare access challenges for vulnerable populations.
Frio struggles compared to South Texas peers
Frio's 32.3% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds neighboring counties like Atascosa and LaSalle, reflecting deeper chronic disease burdens. The county's 21.9% uninsured rate is among the highest in its region, limiting access to preventive and routine care.
Limited providers, coverage gaps persist
Frio has just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the density found in better-resourced counties. With 21.9% of the population uninsured, many residents delay or skip care, likely contributing to the high poor/fair health rates.
Frio residents: check coverage options today
Nearly one in five Frio County residents lacks health insurance, creating barriers to care and financial risk. Visit the Texas Health Insurance Marketplace or contact Frio County's community health centers to explore Medicaid, CHIP, or affordable private plans.
Frio's composite risk score of 55.95 classifies it as relatively low risk but still exceeds the national average around 50. The county's exposure stems mainly from wildfire and hurricane hazards, which dominate its overall risk profile.
Slightly Elevated for South Texas
At 55.95, Frio's score surpasses Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it above the middle of the state's risk distribution. This south-central location brings hurricane exposure and brushland fire danger that shape the county's insurance landscape.
Similar to Surrounding South Texas Counties
Frio's score of 55.95 aligns closely with nearby LaSalle and Atascosa counties, all sharing similar wildfire and hurricane vulnerabilities. The region's semiarid terrain and proximity to the Gulf Coast create consistent risk patterns across multiple counties.
Wildfire and Hurricane Threats
Frio's top hazards are wildfire (75.16) and hurricane (71.59), both well above national norms, while tornado risk remains moderate at 53.37. Dry brush and grasslands fuel rapid wildfire spread, while Gulf proximity brings seasonal hurricane exposure from June through November.
Fireproof Landscaping and Wind Insurance
Frio residents should clear brush and dead vegetation within 30 feet of structures to reduce wildfire risk, and maintain robust wind coverage for hurricane season. Flood insurance is recommended for properties in flood-prone areas near the Frio River and its tributaries.