CountyScore

Kent County

Texas · TX

#5 in Texas
76.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Kent County, Texas

Kent Ranks Among Top Quartile

Kent County's composite score of 74.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 74th percentile nationally. This marks Kent as a notably livable county compared to most American counties.

Above Texas Average

Kent's score of 74.1 surpasses Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking it in the upper tier of Texas counties. The county demonstrates stronger livability than most of its peers statewide.

Exceptional Value and Low Taxes

Kent County's Cost Score of 83.0 reflects outstanding housing affordability, with a median home value of just $108,900 and rent at $856 monthly—the lowest among these eight counties. The Tax Score of 76.8 and 0.907% effective tax rate add to Kent's exceptional value proposition.

Income Growth Lags Significantly

Kent's Income Score of 30.0 is the county's weakest dimension, with a median household income of $71,420 trailing state performance. Gaps in safety, health, schools, and other livability measures remain unmeasured.

Perfect for Frugal, Flexible Residents

Kent suits retirees, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and minimal taxes over job opportunities. The county excels for those with income from outside sources who want maximum housing purchasing power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.8Cost83SafetyComing SoonHealth74.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk99WaterComing Soon
🏛76.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83
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
❤74.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99
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 Kent County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Grant County
Arkansas
76.3
Median income: $72,512
Huerfano County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $52,139
Saguache County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $54,283
Ohio County
Indiana
76.3
Median income: $67,942
Jackson County
Minnesota
76.3
Median income: $69,955

Deep Dives

Kent County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kent County

via TaxByCounty

Kent County offers the nation's lowest rates

At 0.907%, Kent County's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties—one of the most tax-friendly regions in America. Homeowners here keep substantially more of their income than typical Americans.

Kent ranks among Texas's most affordable

Kent's 0.907% rate falls 29% below the Texas state average of 1.276%, making it one of the least-taxed counties statewide. Fewer than 10% of Texas counties offer comparable tax relief.

Kent edges out all nearby West Texas counties

Kent's 0.907% rate beats Kendall (1.202%), Kimble (1.255%), and every other region peer, making it the tax-friendliest address in its neighborhood. A home worth $108,900 here costs under $1,000 annually in property tax.

Median Kent homeowner pays just $988

On a median home valued at $108,900, Kent residents owe only $988 in annual property taxes—less than one-third the national median. Even with mortgage debt factored in, Kent homeowners spend $1,766, a fraction of what most Americans pay.

Low rates don't mean skip appeals

Even in tax-friendly Kent, overassessed properties exist and cost homeowners unnecessary dollars year after year. A brief appeal review could confirm your assessment is fair or uncover hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kent County

via CostByCounty

Kent's rents consume minimal income

Kent County achieves the lowest rent-to-income ratio among comparable Texas counties at just 14.4%, far below the national norm. With median rents of only $856 and household incomes of $71,420, Kent residents spend less than half on housing what higher-income counties typically allocate.

Texas's most affordable rents

Kent County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio and $856 median rent rank among the lowest in Texas, well below the state average of 18.1% and $963. The county offers genuine affordability for lower-income households seeking stability without housing cost strain.

Most affordable in the region

Kent's $856 rent and $655 owner costs are substantially cheaper than all comparable counties, including Kimble ($795/$705) and Kinney ($771/$545). Only King County approaches Kent's affordability, though limited rental data makes direct comparison difficult.

Under 20% of income to housing

Kent households dedicate roughly 19% of income to combined housing costs ($1,511 monthly against $5,952 monthly income). This exceptional affordability ratio leaves more resources for other essentials—a genuine advantage for working families.

Kent: genuine affordability in West Texas

If housing affordability is your priority, Kent County delivers unmatched value with minimal rent burden and low home values. Remote workers and retirees on fixed incomes should strongly consider Kent's genuine cost-of-living advantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kent County

via IncomeByCounty

Kent's income slightly below national average

Kent County's median household income of $71,420 falls slightly short of the U.S. median of $74,755, lagging by about 4.5%. This modest shortfall reflects the county's rural character and limited economic diversification in West Texas.

Above Texas average despite rural setting

Kent County's median household income of $71,420 exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by 10%, a notable achievement for a sparsely populated rural county. Per capita income of $35,087 also surpasses the state average of $33,197, indicating solid local earning power.

Outperforming isolated West Texas peers

Kent's $71,420 median income ranks above King County ($70,192) but trails Kaufman ($88,606) and Kendall ($110,498). Among fellow rural West Texas counties, Kent holds its own despite geographic isolation and limited job diversity.

Excellent housing affordability ratio

Kent residents spend just 14.4% of household income on rent—far below the 30% affordability threshold and among the best ratios in the state. With a median home value of just $108,900, homeownership is highly accessible here.

Leverage Kent's low cost of living

With housing costs consuming less than 15% of income and home values under $110,000, Kent households enjoy exceptional savings capacity. Channel that surplus into emergency funds, retirement accounts, and small business ventures to build lasting wealth in this affordable county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kent County

via HealthByCounty

Kent's small population, strong coverage

Kent County's 11.3% uninsured rate significantly beats the U.S. average of 10.9%, reflecting strong community health coverage. With just 18% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 17.8%—Kent residents report relatively good wellness despite limited demographic data.

Small county, big coverage wins

Kent County's 11.3% uninsured rate stands well below Texas's 19.8% average, suggesting effective health insurance uptake in this small community. While life expectancy data isn't available, Kent's health-reporting rate of 18% exceeds Texas averages.

Coverage leader among peers

Kent's 11.3% uninsured rate outperforms most neighboring counties, rivaling Kinney County (12.9%) and beating Kaufman (16.8%) and Kerr (19%). Provider data gaps limit comparison, but coverage rates suggest Kent residents have better access to health services.

Small but stable healthcare

Kent County's low uninsured rate (11.3%) is a bright spot, though provider data isn't available to assess capacity in this rural community. The county's 18% poor/fair health rate suggests residents generally manage their health despite potential access limitations.

Protect your family's health

Kent County leads in coverage rates, but if you're among the 11% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to maintain or obtain coverage. Regular insurance ensures you access preventive care and avoid catastrophic medical debt.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kent County

via RiskByCounty

Kent is among America's safest counties

With a composite score of just 1.08, Kent County ranks among the lowest-risk counties nationally, earning a "Very Low" rating. Residents here experience minimal exposure to most natural disasters.

Kent sits well below Texas hazard averages

Kent's score of 1.08 is 98% below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the safest counties in the state. Only wildfire risk of 66.51 rises above modest levels, a reflection of the West Texas plains environment.

Kent is the safest county in its region

Kent's score of 1.08 dwarfs nearby counties like Kaufman (76.18), Kendall (65.49), and Kerr (77.16). Its remote West Texas location and flat terrain provide exceptional protection against most hazards.

Wildfires are the lone notable threat

Wildfire risk of 66.51 is the only hazard scoring significantly above baseline for Kent County; all other risks fall below 10. Grassland fires pose seasonal concerns during dry periods, particularly in late summer.

Focus insurance on wildfire preparedness

Standard homeowner's insurance usually covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy includes it—some insurers exclude it in fire-prone areas. Maintain defensible space by managing vegetation and keeping gutters clear of dry debris.

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.