countyscore
39.4
County Score
Schools 59.5Cost of Living 53.6Property Tax 47.2

County Report Card

About Houston County, Texas

Houston County Trails the National Median

With a composite score of 39.4, Houston County sits below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a rural profile where affordability often offsets limited infrastructure. The county ranks in the bottom half of the country for overall livability.

Falling Just Short of State Averages

Houston County's overall score of 39.4 is slightly below the Texas state average of 41.9. While it performs well in certain rural metrics, it lacks the economic momentum found in the state's faster-growing regions. It remains a middle-tier option within the vast landscape of East Texas.

Strong Schools and Affordable Living

The county excels in its School Score of 59.5, indicating better educational outcomes than many peers. Homeowners also benefit from a high Cost Score of 56.3, driven by a modest median home value of $155,100. Renters find relief here too, with median gross rents averaging just $873 per month.

Infrastructure and Health Needs

Water quality and health access present significant hurdles, with scores of 11.2 and 14.5 respectively. The Income Score of 24.2 also lags, as the median household income of $54,563 is notably lower than state benchmarks. These factors suggest a need for improved local services and economic diversification.

A Fit for Budget-Conscious Families

This county is best suited for families who prioritize low housing costs and solid local schools over high-income potential. It offers a quiet, East Texas lifestyle for those who don't mind traveling for specialized healthcare. Retirees on a fixed income may also find the low tax rate of 0.921% attractive.

2040608010047.253.632.114.559.524.639.411.231.2Tax47.2Cost53.6Safety32.1Health14.5Schools59.5Income24.6Risk39.4Water11.2Weather31.239.4/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Houston County DNA

Foverall

How Houston County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Houston County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (11.2/100), though Cost of Living (53.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
47.2
Cost
53.6
Safety
32.1-22.9
Health
14.5-35.5
Schools
59.5
Income
24.6-26.4
Risk
39.4
Water
11.2-46.8
Weather
31.2-24.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$164,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$887/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$164,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,531/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Santa Cruz County
Arizona
Median income: $55,217
39.4
Otero County
Colorado
Median income: $54,037
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Meriwether County
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Median income: $57,340
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Leavenworth County
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Median income: $89,218
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Clay County
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Median income: $43,125
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Tate County
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Cape May County
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Seminole County
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Median income: $48,062
39.4

Nearby counties

Trinity County
Texas
45.7
Leon County
Texas
47.5
Anderson County
Texas
42
Cherokee County
Texas
33.7
Madison County
Texas
47.5
Walker County
Texas
23.5
Angelina County
Texas
28.6
Freestone County
Texas
40.8

Deep Dives

Houston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Houston County

via TaxByCounty

Houston County taxes run well below national average

At 0.921%, Houston County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $1,429 annually on a median home valued at $155,100—far less than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Among Texas counties, Houston ranks near the bottom

Houston County's 0.921% rate falls well below Texas's 1.276% state average, ranking it among the lowest-taxing counties in the state. The typical Houston County homeowner pays $1,429 in property taxes versus the state average of $2,193.

Houston County offers lighter tax burden than peers

Houston County's 0.921% rate beats neighboring Irion County (0.954%) and significantly undercuts Hunt County (1.297%) and Hutchinson County (1.482%). At $1,429 in median annual taxes, Houston County residents enjoy some of the lowest tax bills in the region.

What Houston County homeowners actually pay

The median Houston County home valued at $155,100 generates an estimated $1,429 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'd likely pay $1,476; without one, expect around $1,387.

Your property tax assessment may be inflated

Many Texas homeowners discover their homes are assessed above fair market value, making them eligible to challenge their appraisals. Filing a protest costs nothing and could lower your annual tax bill significantly—worth exploring even in lower-tax counties like Houston.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Houston County

via IncomeByCounty

Houston County earns below the national average

The median household income in Houston County is $54,563, trailing the national median of $74,755 by roughly $20,000. This puts Houston County in the bottom third of U.S. counties by household income, reflecting limited economic opportunities in the region.

Below-average income across Texas

Houston County's median household income of $54,563 falls significantly below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it among the lower-earning counties statewide. The gap of $10,174 suggests economic challenges relative to other Texas communities.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

Houston County's $54,563 median income trails most nearby counties, including Howard County ($71,457) and Hunt County ($70,112). Only Hudspeth County ($39,336) earns notably less in this region, making Houston County a moderate-income area within its peer group.

Housing costs are manageable but tight

A rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% means most Houston County residents spend roughly one-fifth of earnings on rent, which is below the national affordability threshold of 28%. However, paired with a median home value of $155,100, homeownership remains a significant financial stretch for many households.

Build financial security with steady planning

With a median household income of $54,563, Houston County residents who prioritize savings and modest investments can build long-term wealth despite modest starting salaries. Consider low-cost index funds, employer 401(k) matches, and emergency savings to strengthen your financial foundation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Houston County

via CrimeByCounty

Houston County is Safer than the National Average

Houston County reports a total crime rate of 1,596.7 per 100,000 residents, which sits significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 97.5 out of 100.

Beating the Texas State Safety Average

With a safety score of 97.5, Houston County outperforms the Texas state average of 96.8. Twelve different reporting agencies contribute data to ensure a comprehensive view of public safety across the county.

Lower Crime Rates than Urban Neighbors

Houston County maintains a total crime rate nearly 400 points lower than the Texas state average of 2,052.5. Local authorities report much lower activity than neighboring high-traffic corridors like Hunt County.

Property Crimes Outpace Violent Crimes

Violent crime remains low at 199.0 per 100,000 people, roughly half the national rate of 369.8. Most local incidents involve property crime, which accounts for 1,397.7 cases per 100,000 residents.

Securing the Household in Houston County

While crime rates are low, property theft still represents the bulk of local law enforcement activity. Residents can stay proactive by installing motion-sensor lighting and smart security cameras.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Houston County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep South Warmth in Houston County

Houston County maintains an annual average temperature of 66.2°F. Like much of the Piney Woods region, it is characterized by high rainfall and warm, humid air.

Balmy and Humid East Texas Living

The county's average temperature is slightly higher than the Texas average of 65.5°F. It is one of the state's wetter regions, receiving 47.3 inches of rain compared to the 31.9-inch state average.

High Heat Consistency in the Woods

Houston County experiences 103 days of temperatures at or above 90°F. This aligns with the regional trend of long, hot summers common across East Texas.

Mild Winters and Steamy Summers

January averages stay above freezing at 47.5°F, while July averages 83.1°F. While snowfall data is limited, the primary weather concern here is the nearly 50 inches of annual rain.

Manage Moisture and Summer Sun

With 103 days of extreme heat and high rainfall, air conditioning and moisture barriers are essential for home maintenance. Prepare for a climate where humidity persists through most of the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Houston County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soils of East Texas

Houston County features an average soil pH of 5.77, which is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This low pH profile suggests a landscape shaped by pine forests and high rainfall typical of the region. While the taxonomic order is not specified in the data, the chemical profile is notably more acidic than the Texas state average of 7.09.

A sandy foundation for Houston County

The soil contains 54.8% sand, providing an open structure for root growth. A moderate clay content of 17.4% and 27.8% silt balance the mix, though the high sand percentage leads to rapid water movement. This texture makes the soil easy to work but less effective at holding onto essential nutrients.

Maintaining organic matter in the pines

Organic matter sits at 1.47%, which is slightly lower than the Texas state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity (AWC) matches the state average exactly at 0.133 in/in. Growers here benefit from adding compost to boost fertility levels and moisture retention.

Managing slow infiltration rates

The county falls into hydrologic group D, which indicates very slow infiltration rates and high runoff potential when the soil is saturated. While specific drainage classes are unavailable, this classification suggests that low-lying areas may stay damp longer than expected. Heavy rains can lead to surface pooling despite the high sand content in the upper layers.

Lush growth in Zone 8b

Houston County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, perfect for heat-tolerant favorites like blueberries, camellias, and southern peas. These crops thrive in the county's naturally acidic soils and long growing season. Start your garden today by selecting plants that appreciate well-draining, sandy-loam conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Houston County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Lawn Challenges in East Texas

With a difficulty score of 38.1, Houston County presents an easier landscape than the Texas average of 31.7, though it remains more challenging than the national median of 50.0. The local climate falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which supports a wide variety of heat-tolerant turfgrasses. Homeowners here benefit from a more forgiving environment than many of their neighbors to the west.

Wet Climate Meets High Heat

The county receives a generous 47.3 inches of annual precipitation, which aligns well with the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. However, 103 extreme heat days and 6,411 growing degree days mean turf must endure significant thermal stress. High moisture levels combined with heat can accelerate growth but also increase the risk of fungal diseases.

Acidic Sands Require Careful Balancing

Local soils are notably acidic with a pH of 5.77, falling below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most standard turfgrasses. The composition is 54.8% sand and 17.4% clay, which suggests rapid drainage but poor nutrient retention. Periodic lime applications are typically necessary to raise the pH and improve nutrient uptake for a lush green look.

Severe Drought Risks Persist

Despite high annual rainfall, 95.3% of the county currently faces severe drought conditions, having spent 20 weeks in drought over the past year. Maintaining a lawn during these periods requires deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Using rain barrels can help bridge the gap when 100% of the area is classified as abnormally dry.

Start Your Lawn This Spring

Bermuda and Zoysia are excellent choices for Zone 8b as they tolerate the high local heat and acidic sandy soil. Aim to seed or sod after the last spring frost on March 13 to give roots time to establish before the summer heat peaks. With the first fall frost arriving around November 17, the growing window is long and productive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Houston County's county score?
Houston County, Texas has a composite county score of 39.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Houston County rank among counties in Texas?
Houston County ranks #153 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Houston County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Houston County is $1,387, with an effective tax rate of 0.84%. This earns Houston County a tax score of 47.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Houston County?
The median household income in Houston County, Texas is $56,531 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Houston County earns an income score of 24.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Houston County, Texas a good place to live?
Houston County scores 39.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #153 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Houston County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Houston County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.