Gaines County's composite score of 68.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18 points, reflecting competitive livability across fiscal and economic measures. The county positions itself among better-performing U.S. communities.
2 / 5
Outperforms Texas Average by Modest Margin
With a score of 68.0 versus the Texas average of 66.8, Gaines ranks slightly above the state median. This performance places it squarely in Texas's strong-performing group, particularly for its economic profile.
3 / 5
Highest Income Levels Support Prosperity
Gaines shines with an income score of 33.4 and median household income of $76,605—among the strongest in this group. Combined with affordable housing (cost score 81.9) and reasonable rents at $788/month, the county supports solid household finances.
4 / 5
Data Gaps Limit Full Livability Assessment
Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing evaluation of non-economic livability factors. A complete picture would help clarify whether strong finances translate to overall quality of life.
5 / 5
Strong Choice for Growing, Earning Families
Gaines County attracts families balancing good incomes with affordable housing and low tax burden, ideal for professionals building wealth. The county suits those seeking economic stability and cost efficiency without major lifestyle compromises.
Gaines County's composite score of 68.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18 points, reflecting competitive livability across fiscal and economic measures. The county positions itself among better-performing U.S. communities.
Outperforms Texas Average by Modest Margin
With a score of 68.0 versus the Texas average of 66.8, Gaines ranks slightly above the state median. This performance places it squarely in Texas's strong-performing group, particularly for its economic profile.
Highest Income Levels Support Prosperity
Gaines shines with an income score of 33.4 and median household income of $76,605—among the strongest in this group. Combined with affordable housing (cost score 81.9) and reasonable rents at $788/month, the county supports solid household finances.
Data Gaps Limit Full Livability Assessment
Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing evaluation of non-economic livability factors. A complete picture would help clarify whether strong finances translate to overall quality of life.
Strong Choice for Growing, Earning Families
Gaines County attracts families balancing good incomes with affordable housing and low tax burden, ideal for professionals building wealth. The county suits those seeking economic stability and cost efficiency without major lifestyle compromises.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Gaines County's effective tax rate of 1.468% exceeds the national median rate, and its median tax bill of $2,721 slightly surpasses the national median of $2,690. Despite higher rates, home values here remain below the national average at $185,300.
Above-average burden in Texas
Gaines County ranks above Texas's average effective rate of 1.276%, placing it in the higher-tax category statewide. The median tax of $2,721 exceeds the Texas median of $2,193 by over $500.
Higher costs than region peers
Gaines County's 1.468% rate significantly exceeds Freestone (1.037%) and Goliad (1.035%), making it one of the pricier options in the region. The median tax bill of $2,721 is notably higher than neighboring counties' obligations.
What homeowners pay annually
On the median home value of $185,300, Gaines County homeowners pay approximately $2,721 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, this jumps to $3,952; without one, expect $2,411.
Appeal overvalued assessments now
Given Gaines County's higher-than-average tax rates, homeowners should carefully review their property assessments for accuracy. An appeal could yield meaningful savings on substantial annual tax bills.
At 12.3%, Gaines County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Texas's best, significantly outperforming the state average of 18.1%. Residents here keep more of their income after paying rent, with median rent of $788 sitting below both state and national norms.
Top-tier housing affordability in Texas
Gaines County ranks at the forefront of Texas housing affordability, offering renters and owners exceptional cost relief relative to income. The county's strong median household income of $76,605 paired with moderate housing costs creates the sweet spot many Texans seek.
Beats rural peers on rent affordability
Gaines's $788 monthly rent undercuts Freestone ($844), Frio ($1,006), and Gillespie ($1,331), positioning it as a renter's haven in West Texas. Homeowners here pay $811 per month—nearly identical to renters—against a $185,300 median home value, offering genuine flexibility for either path.
Income buoys both renters and owners
Gaines renters spend just 12.3% of their $76,605 median income on housing—the lowest burden among these eight counties. Homeowners commit 12.8% to monthly costs, creating a rare scenario where both renters and buyers enjoy comfortable affordability.
Move here for unbeatable affordability
If housing cost burden is your top priority, Gaines County outshines nearly every other Texas county with rent and ownership costs that consume minimal income. Compare your potential housing payment here to Gillespie or Galveston, and you'll see why Gaines deserves a hard look.
Gaines County's median household income of $76,605 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,850. This West Texas county outperforms the average American household, driven largely by energy sector employment.
Above-average income in Texas
Gaines ranks above the Texas state average of $64,737, with a median income 18% higher. The county's per capita income of $30,786 also trails only slightly behind the state average of $33,197.
Outearning comparable West Texas areas
Gaines's $76,605 significantly outpaces rural neighbors like Freestone ($58,460) and Frio ($60,098). The county benefits from oil and gas activity that boosts wages compared to purely agricultural regions.
Strong purchasing power for housing
Gaines's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio is among the healthiest in the state, well below the comfort threshold. The median home value of $185,300 becomes achievable for the typical household here, supporting homeownership and wealth building.
Lock in gains from energy economy
Above-average income creates an opportunity to build lasting wealth through diversified investments and retirement savings. Consider consulting a financial advisor to protect gains from commodity price volatility and plan for economic shifts.
At 73.8 years, Gaines County residents live roughly 2–3 years shorter than the national average, indicating significant health challenges. The county's 24.3% poor/fair health rate sits above national norms, reflecting chronic disease and lifestyle risk factors concentrated in this West Texas county.
Below-average life expectancy, severe coverage gaps
Gaines's 73.8-year life expectancy falls 0.5 years below the Texas state average, while its 32.0% uninsured rate nearly exceeds the state average by 12 percentage points. This coverage crisis directly limits access to preventive and acute care across the county.
Gaines has Texas's worst provider shortage
With only 9 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Gaines has among the lowest primary care density in the state—far below neighbors like Terry and Yoakum Counties. The 32.0% uninsured rate compounds this shortage, leaving residents with few healthcare options.
Gaines County residents face a dual crisis: just 9 primary care providers per 100,000 (versus 70+ in well-resourced counties) and 32.0% uninsured. This combination means residents often travel long distances for care or skip it entirely, explaining the elevated poor/fair health rates.
Gaines residents: insurance is within reach
One in three Gaines County residents lack health insurance, but affordable options exist through the Texas Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid. Starting coverage today can prevent catastrophic medical debt and ensure access to critical care.
Gaines's composite risk score of 57.63 ranks as relatively low overall, but its wildfire hazard score of 93.38 is exceptional and far exceeds the national average. This West Texas county faces concentrated wildfire exposure that dominates its disaster risk profile.
Above Average, Driven by Wildfire
With a composite score of 57.63 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Gaines runs higher in statewide rankings. The elevation is almost entirely due to wildfire risk, which at 93.38 ranks among the highest in the state.
Wildfire Risk Exceeds Area Peers
Gaines's wildfire score of 93.38 significantly outpaces neighboring Dawson and Martin counties in the Permian Basin region. The open prairie landscape and sparse vegetation create conditions for rapid fire spread across large areas.
Wildfire Is the Primary Threat
Gaines faces extreme wildfire risk (93.38) that dwarfs all other hazards in the county, while flood (30.38), tornado (43.48), and hurricane risks remain modest. Grassland fires can spread miles in hours, threatening ranches, structures, and livestock across the semiarid landscape.
Prepare for Rapid Wildfire Spread
Gaines homeowners should maintain defensible space with cleared vegetation, have an evacuation plan, and ensure structures meet fire-resistant building codes. Homeowner insurance should explicitly cover wildfire damage; standard policies may exclude or limit coverage for brush fires.