CountyScore

Harris County

Texas · TX

#253 in Texas
49.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Harris County, Texas

Harris County Meets National Baseline

Harris County's composite score of 54.7 is slightly above the national median of 50.0, indicating average-to-good livability on a national scale. However, it significantly trails Texas averages and lags its smaller, more rural peers.

Below Average Among Texas Counties

Harris County scores 54.7 versus Texas's average of 66.8, placing it below the state's typical performance. This gap reflects the trade-offs of a major urban county serving Houston's sprawling metro area.

Strongest Incomes in This County Sample

Harris County's income score of 31.1 is the highest in this group, with a median household income of $73,104, reflecting Houston's economic clout. The county offers abundant career opportunities and wage growth typical of major metro areas.

High Housing Costs and Tax Burden

The cost score of 61.2 and tax score of 53.9 reveal Harris County's expensive housing market: median rents of $1,349/month and home values of $255,000, coupled with an effective tax rate of 1.718%. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available.

For Metro Professionals Seeking Career Growth

Harris County suits ambitious professionals and families drawn to Houston's job market and urban amenities, despite higher living costs. It's best for dual-income households with strong earning potential who value metro-area opportunities over rural affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.9Cost61.2SafetyComing SoonHealth53.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.1Risk0.1WaterComing Soon
🏛53.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.1
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 Harris County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Texas
49.8
Median income: $74,149
Burlington County
New Jersey
49.9
Median income: $105,271
El Paso County
Texas
49.9
Median income: $58,859
Kendall County
Illinois
49.6
Median income: $110,474
Nassau County
New York
50.1
Median income: $143,408

Deep Dives

Harris County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harris County

via TaxByCounty

Harris County taxes run well above national median

Harris County's effective tax rate of 1.718% exceeds the national median of 1.80%, while its median property tax of $4,382 is 63% higher than the national median of $2,690. This significant gap reflects Houston's booming real estate market and higher home values.

Highest-taxing county in this Texas sample

At 1.718%, Harris County has the highest effective tax rate among these eight counties, exceeding the Texas state average of 1.276% by 35%. Only Hansford County's 1.639% comes close, placing Harris clearly at the top of Texas's urban tax burden.

Significantly costlier than surrounding rural areas

Harris County's 1.718% rate vastly exceeds nearby rural counties like Hardin (1.155%) and Harrison (1.016%), reflecting Houston's urbanization and infrastructure demands. A $200,000 home pays roughly $1,100 more annually in Harris than in Hardin County.

Houston homes face hefty $4,382 tax bills

The median Harris County home valued at $255,000 generates a substantial $4,382 annual property tax—more than double the state median of $2,193. With mortgage deductions, the cost climbs to $5,134, making Harris the most expensive county in this group.

Houston homeowners should challenge assessments

Many Harris County properties are assessed above fair market value, particularly in hot neighborhoods where appraisals lag sales data. Scheduling a protest before the April 30th deadline could save thousands, especially in appreciating areas where assessments haven't caught up to recent comps.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harris County

via CostByCounty

Harris County housing costs above national norm

Harris County's 22.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the Texas state average of 18.1% and significantly exceeds the national average of roughly 30%—wait, that's backwards. Harris residents actually spend more of their income on housing than ideal, with rents at $1,349 consuming a fifth of median income.

Houston's affordability challenge

Harris County ranks in the least affordable tier of Texas counties, with the highest rent and mortgage costs among our comparison group. At $1,349 median rent and $255,000 median home values, this is Houston's expensive real estate market.

Pay Houston prices for Houston access

Harris County's $1,349 median rent and $1,476 monthly owner costs far exceed surrounding counties like Hardin ($1,011 rent, $188K homes). You're paying a 39% rent premium over Hardin County for urban proximity and job opportunities.

Houston takes 22% of income

With a median household income of $73,104, Harris County residents spend 22.1% on rent—nearly a quarter of earnings. Buyers face even steeper costs at 24.3% of income going toward mortgages.

Harris County: urban cost, urban gain

Harris County demands the highest housing costs in our comparison, but delivers Houston's unmatched job market, amenities, and economy. If you're relocating for work, weigh Houston's opportunity against 39% higher rents than neighboring Hardin County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harris County

via IncomeByCounty

Harris approaches national income median

Harris County's median household income of $73,104 sits $1,651 below the U.S. median of $74,755, nearly matching national income levels. Per capita income of $39,978 substantially exceeds Texas's state average of $33,197.

Strongest earner in this cluster

Harris County's $73,104 median household income exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by $8,367, ranking it in the upper quarter of Texas counties. This reflects the economic strength of Houston and surrounding urban areas.

Top earner among regional peers

Harris County's median income of $73,104 ranks highest among this group except Hartley County ($82,122), surpassing Hardin County ($72,532) and all other neighboring counties. The county's urban economy drives stronger-than-average wages.

Higher costs reflect urban location

Harris County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.1% is elevated compared to regional peers, reflecting urban housing demand and median home values of $255,000. While income supports this cost, the ratio approaches affordability thresholds and requires careful budgeting.

Navigate housing to build assets

Harris County residents must strategically manage the 22.1% housing cost ratio to preserve wealth-building capacity. Prioritize employer-matched retirement plans, explore tax-advantaged accounts, and consider side income strategies to offset housing costs and accelerate long-term investment growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Harris County

via HealthByCounty

Harris leads Texas in longevity

At 77.3 years, Harris County residents live longer than both the Texas average (74.3 years) and are within 2.5 years of the U.S. average of 79.8 years. Yet 24.5% report poor or fair health—the second-highest rate among these counties—revealing a gap between lifespan and felt wellness.

Longest life expectancy in this group

Harris County's 77.3-year life expectancy is the highest among all eight counties and exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average by three years. However, its 22.2% uninsured rate remains above the state average of 19.8%, suggesting that wealth and healthcare access don't align evenly across the Houston-area county.

Mental health resources far exceed primary care

Harris County stands out with 178 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this eight-county group and nearly double many neighbors. However, primary care availability at 58 per 100,000 trails counties like Hardeman (113 per 100K), suggesting an imbalance in preventive versus behavioral health infrastructure.

Urban scale masks coverage gaps

Harris County's population of over 4 million masks significant disparities: 22.2% are uninsured despite the county's 77.3-year longevity. With 58 primary care providers per 100,000, the largest county in this profile has proportionally fewer family doctors, straining access for vulnerable and uninsured residents.

Enroll now in Harris County

More than 1 in 5 Harris County residents lack insurance, creating barriers to preventive care in one of Texas's largest counties. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 to find affordable coverage and connect with community health centers near you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harris County

via RiskByCounty

Harris County faces extreme disaster risk

Harris County's composite risk score of 99.94 represents one of the highest exposures nationally, with a Very High rating indicating critical vulnerability across all hazard types. The nation's fourth-largest county confronts severe, overlapping threats from hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and seismic activity.

Texas's highest natural disaster risk

Harris County's composite score of 99.94 dramatically exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00—more than double—placing it as the state's most at-risk major county. Houston's massive population concentration amplifies the stakes of its exceptional disaster exposure.

Riskier than all neighboring counties

Harris County's disaster profile far exceeds that of Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, and Liberty counties, despite all being Gulf Coast jurisdictions. Its larger footprint, denser development, and exposure to Houston's subsidence and urban heat all compound disaster risk.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods are certain

Harris County faces near-maximum risk across three critical hazards: tornado (100.00), hurricane (100.00), and flood (99.97) scores. These overlapping threats mean severe storms regularly produce compounding damage—flooding during hurricanes, flash floods from tornadic rain, and wind-driven surge.

Comprehensive, specialized coverage is essential

Harris County residents cannot rely on standard homeowner's insurance alone—flood insurance, windstorm coverage, and robust liability protection are mandatory. Document your property thoroughly, maintain elevation where possible, and review all policies annually as insurers adjust rates for this high-risk market.

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.