CountyScore

Howard County

Texas · TX

#125 in Texas
62.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Howard County, Texas

Howard County beats national livability median

Howard County's composite score of 69.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 39th percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects solid conditions across measured dimensions relative to American counties overall.

Competitive livability ranking in Texas

Howard County scores 69.3, just above the Texas state average of 66.8, putting it in the middle-to-upper range among Texas counties. This solid standing demonstrates balanced livability conditions across the region.

Better income and affordable housing

Howard County's Income Score of 30.0 and Cost Score of 77.5 highlight its economic strengths, with a median household income of $71,457 and median home values of $150,300. These figures show the county attracts working professionals while maintaining reasonable housing costs compared to state averages.

Tax burden and data gaps

The county's effective tax rate of 1.093% is moderate but higher than some peers, and the Tax Score of 71.5 reflects this. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and water remains unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Right for working families seeking balance

Howard County appeals to middle-income families and professionals seeking a blend of reasonable wages, affordable housing, and modest tax burdens. Its profile suggests a stable, working-class community where economic opportunities outweigh premium living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.5Cost77.5SafetyComing SoonHealth51.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk45.2WaterComing Soon
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.2
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 Howard County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Indiana
62.8
Median income: $68,985
Butler County
Kansas
62.8
Median income: $80,375
St. Tammany Parish
Louisiana
62.8
Median income: $79,277
Berkshire County
Massachusetts
62.8
Median income: $72,565
Harrison County
Mississippi
62.8
Median income: $57,233

Deep Dives

Howard County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Howard County

via TaxByCounty

Howard County taxes modestly above national norms

Howard County's 1.093% effective tax rate slightly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, positioning it near the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,642 remains substantially lower than the national median of $2,690.

Howard County sits below Texas average

With a 1.093% effective rate, Howard County undercuts the state average of 1.276%, ranking in the lower-tax tier across Texas. Typical homeowners pay $1,642 annually versus the statewide average of $2,193.

Howard County taxes competitive with regional peers

Howard County's 1.093% rate falls between Houston County's 0.921% and Hunt County's 1.297%, offering moderate taxation for the region. At $1,642 in median annual taxes, Howard County homeowners pay less than counterparts in Hunt, Jack, or Hutchinson counties.

What Howard County homeowners actually pay

The median Howard County home valued at $150,300 generates an estimated $1,642 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $1,899; without, around $1,358.

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—a worthwhile step even in moderate-tax counties like Howard.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Howard County

via CostByCounty

Howard County beats national affordability

Howard County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the national benchmark, making it one of Texas's more affordable housing markets despite modest wages. With median household income of $71,457—just 5% below the national average—residents enjoy better housing affordability than most of the country.

Best affordability in Texas comparison

At 16.7%, Howard County's rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Texas's state average of 18.1%, signaling genuine housing relief for renters. The median rent of $993 sits just 3% above the state average, making it a reasonably priced option in the Texas housing market.

Howard leads adjacent counties

Howard County's 16.7% affordability ratio outpaces Hunt County (20.3%), Irion County (21.2%), and Houston County (19.2%), positioning it as the most renter-friendly option in the region. Only Hutchinson County (15.6%) offers better affordability, but with significantly lower median income.

Howard County housing costs explained

Renters pay $993 monthly while homeowners carry $850, creating a compact $143 gap that favors ownership for those with downpayment ability. Against median income of $71,457 annually, housing absorbs just 16.7%—leaving substantial income for savings, healthcare, and quality of life.

Howard County: solid middle ground

If affordability and income stability matter equally, Howard County deserves your attention with its below-state-average housing burden and $150,300 median home value. Test whether your current monthly housing costs exceed $993 rent or $850 ownership—if so, a move could free up meaningful income each year.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Howard County

via IncomeByCounty

Howard County slightly behind national income

Howard County's median household income of $71,457 falls just $3,298 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper range of U.S. counties. This positions Howard County as a relatively prosperous community by national standards.

Above-average earners in Texas

At $71,457, Howard County exceeds the Texas state average median income of $64,737 by nearly $7,000, ranking it among the stronger-earning counties statewide. This advantage reflects robust economic activity and competitive wages in the region.

One of the highest earners in its region

Howard County's $71,457 median income ranks second among its peers, trailing only Hunt County ($70,112)—though they're nearly equal. This consistent prosperity contrasts sharply with Hudspeth County ($39,336), making Howard County a relative economic leader in West Texas.

Affordable housing relative to earnings

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% is excellent, falling well below the 28% affordability benchmark and suggesting housing costs are comfortable for most residents. Combined with a median home value of $150,300, homeownership is genuinely accessible for Howard County households.

Invest your earnings for long-term growth

With household income above $71,000 and low housing costs, Howard County residents have genuine capacity to invest beyond basic savings. Tax-advantaged retirement accounts, real estate investment, and diversified portfolios can transform steady earnings into generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Howard County

via HealthByCounty

Howard County trails U.S. life expectancy

At 71.5 years, Howard County residents face a 7.4-year gap compared to the national average of 78.9 years. With 23.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks below national health benchmarks, reflecting higher disease burden and healthcare barriers.

Lowest life expectancy in Texas

Howard County's 71.5-year life expectancy is among the lowest in Texas, sitting 2.8 years below the state average of 74.3 years. The county faces significant health equity challenges compared to better-performing Texas regions.

Strong mental health, weak primary care

Howard County boasts exceptional mental health provider availability at 229 per 100K—far above peers like Houston County (41 per 100K) and Jack County (23 per 100K). However, primary care provision lags at 21 per 100K, suggesting residents face gaps in routine medical visits despite robust behavioral health support.

Insurance high, provider access low

Howard County's uninsured rate of 19.8% mirrors the state average, but residents face a critical shortage of primary care doctors relative to population need. This mismatch means many insured residents struggle to find available appointments for basic health services.

Maximize your mental health benefits

Howard County's extensive mental health provider network is a strength—make sure your insurance plan covers behavioral health services. Visit the county health department or marketplace.healthcare.gov to select coverage that includes both primary and mental health care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Howard County

via RiskByCounty

Howard County's balanced risk picture

Howard County scores 54.80 on the composite risk scale, moderately above the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite serious wildfire exposure. The score places the county in a middle-risk band nationally, with hazards concentrated in specific threat types rather than spread across all categories.

Slightly elevated above Texas average

At 54.80, Howard County runs slightly above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, positioning it in the moderate-risk tier among Texas counties. The elevation is driven almost entirely by an exceptional wildfire risk score of 89.47, one of the highest in the state.

Wildfire hotspot among peers

Howard County's wildfire risk of 89.47 substantially exceeds neighboring Mitchell, Martin, and Glasscock counties, making it a wildfire hotspot in the Permian Basin region. While tornado risk at 66.09 matches regional norms, the wildfire threat profile sets Howard apart as notably higher-risk.

Wildfire risk dominates the landscape

Wildfire represents the county's paramount hazard with a risk score of 89.47, reflecting the dry climate and vegetation patterns of West Texas ranching country. Tornado risk at 66.09 and flood risk at 45.42 present secondary concerns, while hurricane risk remains minimal at 33.92.

Prioritize wildfire-specific protections now

Howard County homeowners should verify their policies explicitly cover wildfire damage, as standard coverage often excludes or limits fire-related losses. Defensible space maintenance around homes—clearing brush, trimming trees, and reducing fuel load—provides critical protection alongside comprehensive insurance.

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.