CountyScore

Hudspeth County

Texas · TX

#81 in Texas
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Hudspeth County, Texas

Hudspeth County leads among peer group

Hudspeth County scores 72.5, the highest among these eight counties and well above the national median of 50.0. This places it in the top 45th percentile nationally, demonstrating strong livability despite its rural West Texas location.

Above-average performance statewide

With a score of 72.5, Hudspeth County ranks above the Texas state average of 66.8, distinguishing it as a livable choice among the state's counties. This ranking is particularly notable given the county's remote West Texas location and lower income levels.

Exceptional affordability standout

Hudspeth County delivers the most impressive Cost Score of 90.9 among all eight counties, with median home values of just $57,400 and gross rents of $664/month. These extraordinary affordability metrics make it the most economically accessible option in this group, though with trade-offs in income opportunities.

Low incomes constrain household economics

The Income Score of 9.1 reflects median household income of just $39,336, the lowest among these eight counties and significantly below Texas and national averages. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality leaves several livability dimensions unmeasured in this rural county.

Perfect for affordable living prioritizers

Hudspeth County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers with stable external earnings, and cost-of-living arbitrage seekers. The county's rock-bottom housing costs offset limited local income opportunities for those seeking maximum financial flexibility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.1Cost90.9SafetyComing SoonHealth34.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome9.1Risk97.7WaterComing Soon
🏛69.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼9.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤34.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.7
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 Hudspeth County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Lee County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $67,144

Deep Dives

Hudspeth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hudspeth County

via TaxByCounty

Hudspeth County taxes just above national median

At 1.179%, Hudspeth County's effective tax rate slightly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, though its median property tax of just $677 is one-quarter the national median of $2,690. Lower home values—with a median of $57,400—keep actual tax bills remarkably affordable.

Hudspeth County ranks below Texas state average

Hudspeth County's 1.179% effective rate falls just below the state average of 1.276%, placing it in the lower tier statewide. Residents pay only $677 in median annual property taxes, dramatically below the state average of $2,193.

Hudspeth County offers lowest tax bills in region

Hudspeth County's $677 median tax bill significantly undercuts neighboring Irion County ($1,456) and Houston County ($1,429), though its 1.179% rate sits between them. The county's affordability stems from lower home values rather than lower tax rates.

What Hudspeth County homeowners actually pay

The median Hudspeth County home valued at $57,400 generates an estimated $677 in annual property taxes—the lowest in this regional comparison. With a mortgage, expect $1,027; without, around $660.

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—particularly valuable in counties like Hudspeth where home values are already modest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hudspeth County

via CostByCounty

Hudspeth County: lowest incomes, lowest costs

Hudspeth County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national baseline, but this burden reflects genuinely low wages rather than high rents—median household income stands at just $39,336, or 47% below the national average. The silver lining: rents of only $664 monthly are among the cheapest in Texas.

High burden despite low rents

Hudspeth County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio runs 2.2 percentage points above Texas's 18.1% state average, making it one of the state's more housing-stressed counties. Yet its median rent of $664 runs 31% below the state average, revealing that the problem is income, not prices.

Cheapest rents in the region

Hudspeth County's $664 rent undercuts every peer county—Houston County ($873), Howard County ($993), Hunt County ($1,184)—by wide margins, yet its 20.3% burden ratio ranks among the region's highest. This paradox shows that low wages matter more than low rents in determining affordability stress.

Income challenges in Hudspeth

Renters pay just $664 monthly and homeowners pay $375, representing the region's most accessible entry prices for housing. However, against median household income of only $39,336 annually, these costs still consume 20.3% of renter income—a squeeze that reflects limited local economic opportunity rather than expensive housing.

Hudspeth: only if income is portable

Consider Hudspeth County only if you're relocating with a higher-paying job or remote income—the ultra-low housing costs ($664 rent, $57,400 home values) won't help if local wages remain depressed. Compare the median income here ($39,336) against your own earnings; if you're coming with significantly higher income, you could enjoy remarkable affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hudspeth County

via IncomeByCounty

Hudspeth County faces severe income challenges

Hudspeth County's median household income of $39,336 is less than half the national median of $74,755, creating a $35,419 gap that ranks it among the poorest counties nationally. This extreme disparity reflects limited job availability and economic opportunity in this remote West Texas region.

Lowest earners in Texas by far

At $39,336, Hudspeth County's median household income is $25,401 below Texas's state average of $64,737, making it one of the lowest-earning counties in the state. Per capita income of $19,142 is also well below the state average of $33,197.

Significantly lagging all nearby counties

Hudspeth County's $39,336 income trails every neighboring county in this analysis, with Houston County ($54,563) earning $15,000 more and Howard County ($71,457) earning nearly double. This isolation from regional economic centers creates persistent income challenges.

Housing costs strain limited incomes

A rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% is concerning given the low overall income, and a median home value of $57,400 remains difficult for many families to afford. While homes are affordable in absolute terms, the ratio of home value to household income makes homeownership challenging.

Prioritize stability and community resources

Hudspeth County residents earning $39,336 should focus first on emergency savings and local financial assistance programs before pursuing investments. Community development resources, skill-building initiatives, and remote work opportunities may offer pathways to income growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hudspeth County

via HealthByCounty

Paradox: average lifespan, poor health

Hudspeth County's life expectancy of 74.3 years matches the national average, yet 39% of residents report poor or fair health—nearly double the national rate. This disconnect suggests acute health challenges despite baseline longevity, reflecting concentrated disease burden in the population.

Highest health burden in Texas

At 39%, Hudspeth County's poor/fair health rate far exceeds Texas's baseline, indicating the worst self-reported health status across the state. This is the starkest health equity challenge among the eight counties examined.

Data gaps hinder comparison

Provider data is unavailable for Hudspeth County, making direct comparison to neighbors like Hunt County and Jack County impossible. This data gap itself reflects limited healthcare infrastructure—a common marker of rural, underserved communities.

Uninsured rate highest in region

Hudspeth County's uninsured rate of 25.6% is the highest among the eight counties and 5.8 percentage points above Texas average. Combined with limited documented provider availability, residents face dual barriers: both affording and accessing care.

Don't delay—get covered now

If you're among Hudspeth County's uninsured, enrollment windows exist year-round for special life events. Call 211 Texas or visit healthcare.gov immediately to find low-cost plans and local health centers serving the community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hudspeth County

via RiskByCounty

Hudspeth County faces minimal natural risks

Hudspeth County scores just 2.29 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below the national average. This exceptionally low risk reflects a relatively benign natural hazard environment with no significant threat concentration across major disaster types.

Among Texas's safest counties

At 2.29, Hudspeth County ranks dramatically below Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county's risk score represents roughly one-twentieth of the state average, indicating substantially lower natural disaster exposure.

Safest county in the region

Hudspeth County's composite risk of 2.29 makes it significantly safer than all immediate neighbors, including Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Reeves counties. This West Texas location benefits from isolation from major storm systems and low seismic activity relative to surrounding areas.

Risks remain minimal across all hazards

No single hazard type presents meaningful risk in Hudspeth County, with wildfire at 25.48 and earthquake at 24.40 ranking as the highest exposures. Tornado, flood, and hurricane risks all remain well below 10, reflecting the remote desert environment.

Standard coverage meets local needs

Despite low overall risk, Hudspeth County homeowners should maintain basic homeowners insurance as protection against unexpected events and lender requirements. The county's risk profile doesn't warrant specialized hazard coverage beyond typical policies.

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.